Eddie Williams will retire effective May 31.

Williams, executive vice president of Finance and Facilities and chief of operations, returned to work Friday after being placed on paid leave on March 8. On March 6, the FBI and Illinois State Police, among other departments, executed a search warrant that focused on the NIU Police Department. Williams was placed on leave “in light of recent events,” according to a March 8 NIU new release.

Williams started at NIU teaching math, and received tenure in 1976. He was appointed executive vice president and chief of operations in 2000.

“He has a deep love for people and has been willing to say ‘no’ when necessary to ensure the university is positioned to weather the financial ups and downs without having to furlough or lay-off workers,” said Jerry Blakemore, vice president and general counsel, according to the news release. “Although most people here on campus don’t really have an understanding of the impact the lengthy delays in receiving the university’s appropriated funding from Springfield is causing, Eddie quietly shoulders the burden and works diligently behind the scenes to ensure the university has enough cash to make its payroll each month.”

According to the Illinois Board of High Education, Eddie Williams had a base salary of $301,073.16 and additional compensation of $10,015.92 in FY 2012.