Bruce R. Williams, 88, of Bedford and formerly of Lexington, died on August 2, 2017.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was the son of the late Alonzo and Grace (Dexter) Williams.

Mr. Williams was raised in Suffern, NY, and earned his BA from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, in 1951.

After graduation, he served in the Marine Corps from 1951-1953. He was honorably discharged with a rank of First Lieutenant.

In 1981, following a successful career in general management at several large industrial companies, Mr. Williams founded Bionostics, Inc. (now Bio-Techne), a manufacturer of medical diagnostic calibrators and quality control products. Originally headquartered in Acton, the company moved to Devens in 2001. Mr. Williams served as CEO and later Chairman. He retired in 2003.

Since his retirement, Mr. Williams was dedicated to the research and reform of injustices in U.S. drug laws and the mass incarceration of citizens. He also served as a volunteer at many area prisons.

He moved from Lexington to Carleton-Willard Village in 2007. Throughout his life, he enjoyed sports, jazz music, and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jane (Bang) Williams; his loving children, Jeffrey R. Williams and his wife Chuang of Cambridge, and Glenn S. Williams and his wife Patricia of Lexington, NC; his sisters, Beverly Springer of Abilene, TX, and June Sudduth of Minneapolis, MN; his adored grandsons, Benjamin Williams and his wife Kanoe, Zachary Williams, and Caleb Williams; his great-grandson, Rex Williams; and a world of relatives, friends, and colleagues.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Concord Prison Outreach, PO Box 383, Concord, MA 01742, or Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118.