Jump to content

Roger Williams (Georgia politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Georgia Official and Statistical Register, 1977-1978" (PDF). Georgia Department of Archives and History. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "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.