Larry Williams, the BJ managing editor who cracked the whip on retired BJ managing editor Doug Oplinger when Doug was business editor that led to the 1987 BJ Pulitzer Prize over coverage of Sir James Goldsmith’s greenmail attack on Goodyear, passed away Monday.

His death was reported by his wife, Marcia Myers. When the Baltimore Sun laid off one-fourth its staff in 2009 because it was owned by the bankrupt Tribune Company, Larry was among those jettisoned. Marcia was deputy managing editor and survived, but was demoted. She is from Mansfield and her career stops included Scripps News and Bloomberg News in London.

Facebook photos I found showed Larry Williams with Sarah Williams.

Marcia’s Facebook post:

“Dear friends - So very, very sorry to share the news of Larry’s passing today in Washington following a short illness. He brought such sparkle and humor and adventure to our lives, and with such a big, big heart.

“He could be delightfully ornery. He kicked ass, took names and drove us to excel. But he also was a surprise romantic who loved poetry and Jane Austen, who could weave and create origami. Yes! He was dear and sweet, quirky and brilliant.

“He could race a sailboat to its limits and appreciate a good cheeseburger...or two. And he certainly knew how to laugh. There will never be another Larry Williams. We are devastated.”