The Michael P. and Lyle C. Williams Library Collection in Ethics in Business and Society was established in 1984 by Robert J. “Bud” Williams (’49) in memory of his parents. Although he never graduated from high school, Michael P. "M.P." Williams was a strong believer in higher education. Along with his wife, Lyle, M.P. founded Cadillac Products Inc., a manufacturer of flexible packaging products, in 1942. Bud is Chairman of Cadillac Products Inc. He served on Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Libraries Advisory Council for more than 25 years. In addition to Bud, M.P. and Lyle had two grandchildren and one great-grandson who graduated from Notre Dame, Robert J. Jr. (’74), Claire (’88), and Robert J., III ('13).

The Williams Collection assures that Notre Dame’s emphasis on values is reflected in the Libraries’ collections by supporting acquisitions in the ethical aspects of business and materials that explore the relationship of this topic to sociology, religion, and government. Some very strong additions to the Audio Learning Center have been made via the fund, among them a number of Public Broadcasting Service videos about questionable business practices and the savings and loan controversy. The fund also provides access to journals such as Business Ethics: The Magazine of Corporate Responsibility and EJBO: Electronic Journal of Business Ethics and Organization Studies, both important in maintaining the Mendoza College of Business’s well-recognized programs.

Also under the family name is the Robert J. Williams Sr. Library Collection in Theology and Science, established by Bud’s children. Bud and his family have also funded the Robert J. Williams Sr. MBA Fellowship. Bud and his wife, Demie, are members of the Badin Guild.