This article originally was published in The Denver Post on November 26, 2007.
Sam Williams, community activist and former member of the state legislature and the Breckenridge City Council, died at his Green Valley Ranch home Nov. 20 of prostate cancer. He was 73.
A service is planned at 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at Whatley Chapel on the Johnson & Wales University campus, 7150 E. Montview Blvd.
Williams served four two-year terms (1986-94) in the Colorado House of Representatives and was minority leader when he retired.
Among other actions, he introduced a bill to repeal the controversial Amendment 2, an anti-gay-rights measure passed by voters in 1992. His bill failed, but Amendment 2 was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996.
He also worked to curtail the number of towns that could have gambling. Casino gambling was approved in three towns in 1990. Since then, voters have not approved an expansion to other towns.
Williams was one of the professional men who helped form 100 Black Men, an organization aimed at helping black youths. For years, he mentored high school students.
“With Sam, there was no excuse why something didn’t get done. He just did it,” said a friend, Dan Euell of Thornton. “He was committed to mentoring kids, knowing that that sometimes meant being a part-time father to them.”
For years, Williams had a real estate company in Breckenridge. At the time of his death he was an assistant professor of marketing and ethics at Johnson & Wales University. At one time, he was president and CEO of Park Hill Golf Club.
“He had a way of looking at life that was calming,” said Larry Naves, chief judge of the Denver District Court. “He was one of the nicest, kindest people I ever knew. He was infectious. I loved him.”
Williams earned similar praise from former Denver District Attorney Norm Early. “He taught me patience — what patience I have. He was calm and collected and could figure out the best way to negotiate something. He was a man of action.”
Some called him “Smiling Sam” because of his personality, said his brother, Roland Williams of Sausalito, Calif.
Williams worked with the Colorado Youth Corrections Program and helped start the program in Pueblo, and served on the Denver Civil Service Commission.
Samuel Williams was born April 4, 1934, in Newark, N.J., and graduated from Central State College in Xenia, Ohio.
While there, he met Gladys Gantt of Dayton, Ohio. They married Oct. 26, 1956.
In addition to his wife and brother, he is survived by two daughters: Weslyn Moon of Dallas and Glynis Williams-Thompson of Denver; three grandchildren; and his mother, Helma Williams of Denver.
Virginia Culver: 303-954-1223 or vculver@denverpost.com
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to misinformation given to a reporter, it incorrectly stated that Sam Williams was on the state Civil Service Commission. He was president of the Denver Civil Service Commission. He served four two-year terms in the state legislature, rather than two four-year terms.
