Roger Williams
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office
April 3, 2001  January 14, 2013
Preceded byHarold Mann
Succeeded byBruce Broadrick
Constituency5th district (2001–2003)
4th district (2003–2013)
In office
January 10, 1977  January 12, 1987
Preceded byJack H. Cole
Succeeded byJimmy Tyson Griffin
Constituency6th district
Personal details
Born
William Roger Williams

(1933-09-22)September 22, 1933
Gainesville, Georgia, U.S.
DiedSeptember 4, 2019(2019-09-04) (aged 85)
Dalton, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican (1986–2019)
Other political
affiliations
Democratic (before 1986)
Spouse
Mary Pope
(m. 1956)
Children4
EducationUniversity of North Georgia (BS)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1954–1962
RankCaptain

William Roger Williams (September 22, 1933 – September 4, 2019) was an American politician from Georgia. He served two separate times in the Georgia House of Representatives—first as a Democrat, and then from 2001 to 2013 as a Republican.

Early life and education

Williams was born into an Episcopalian family in Gainesville, Georgia, in 1933.[1] After graduating from North Georgia College in 1954, he joined the United States Army, eventually rising to the rank of captain.[1] In his final two years in the Army, Williams went to South Vietnam as a member of a Military Assistance Advisory Group.[1]

After departing the military, Williams moved to Dalton, Georgia, where he began a career in finance.[2] He eventually became president of the Whitfield Finance Co.[1]

Political career

In 1976, Williams ran successfully for the Georgia House of Representatives in a district that included parts of Walker and Whitfield counties.[1] He served as in the chamber as a Democrat until 1987.[3] After five terms, Williams switched to the Republican Party and attempted to run for the Georgia State Senate. He lost narrowly on three occasions: first in 1986,[4] then again in 1988 and 1992.

Williams returned to the Georgia House in 2001 via a special election following the unexpected death of State Representative Harold Mann.[2] He served in the body until his retirement in 2013.[2] Williams was later elected to the State Transportation Board from the 14th district.

Death

Williams died following battles with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease on September 4, 2019.[2] Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives David Ralston memorialized Williams as "a dear friend of mine and a solid rock of wisdom and good counsel."[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Georgia Official and Statistical Register, 1977-1978" (PDF). Georgia Department of Archives and History. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Former state legislator Williams remembered as 'quick to work with anyone'". Dalton Daily Citizen. September 4, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  3. "Georgia Official and Statistical Register, 1985-1988" (PDF). Georgia Department of Archives and History. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  4. "Elections, 1985-86" (PDF). Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
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