Judge James R. Williams, who was the first African American to serve as a Summit County Common Pleas Judge, died November 6 after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Williams, 88, had a long list of accomplishments including an appointment by President Jimmy Carter as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, in 1978, an Akron Municipal Court judge, city councilman, civil rights activist, and civic leader.

On the national level, he was the 25th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  He was also the principal founder of Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Inc, a non-profit corporation responsible for building more than 1,600 housing units in 10 Northeast Ohio communities. One of the housing buildings, a 140-unit senior citizens apartment building in Akron, is named in his honor, the James R. Williams Tower.

Drew Perkins’ film “An Answer from Akron” chronicles the city’s history and Williams’ influence to seek federal assistance to build affordable housing for Alpha Phi Homes.

His wife, Jewell Cardwell-Williams, described her husband as loving, witty, with a good sense of humor who always spoke his mind. The former Akron Beacon Journal columnist compared his character to that old hymn; “May the work I’ve done speak for me…May the service I give speak for me.”

Former Akron City Councilman Michael Williams said his father ingrained in him at an early age to look out for other people, having a sense of responsibility to the community. “It was part of the family philosophy, how are you going to contribute to the community. It wasn’t an option. It was a requirement. I would go to meetings with my father. I was hooked on politics at age 13.

“Dad was a walking example of God’s power. He was born on the wrong side of the tracks in (Columbus) Mississippi who moved to Ohio and became a judge.  He was considered a rock star when he went home to visit.”

A man who many looked up to, had his own idols. Mrs. Cardwell-Williams talked about her husband’s encounter with the Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, who in 1947 became the first black player in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Judge Williams was once an infielder with the University of Akron.  “Jim was thrilled to pick him up from the airport and escort him to an Akron NAACP speaking engagement,” she said.  “Jim admired Jackie Robinson’s athletic ability and all that he endured during his career and his personal life, coping with diabetes.”

He also became good friends with Lenny Wilkens, the former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach. “Jim Williams was a unique person and we’re all blessed to have had him in our lives. He was like a big brother to me.”

Judge Williams, named one of the 100 most influential Black Americans and Organizational Leaders by Ebony magazine in 1963, also admired President Barack Obama.  He not only lived to see a black man become president, but he was invited to the White House, where he met the Obamas during a celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Monument.

Judge Williams presided over several high-profile cases including the 1992 aggravated murder trial of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer on trial for the death of a Coventry Township man. It was Dahmer’s last sentence before he was sent to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In 2003, Judge Williams also decided on the controversial case involving LeBron James. He ruled that the former St. Vincent-St. Mary star had to serve a two-game suspension for violating an Ohio High School Athletic Association guideline prohibiting him from accepting gifts.

While he was celebrated as one of the most respected legal minds in Northeast Ohio, Williams was the quintessential renaissance man, whose life experiences had no bounds. He worked on constructing one of the country’s first interstate (Ohio Turnpike). The lifetime NAACP member was a civil rights activist, teacher, and mentor for young scholars. His daughter-in-law, Akron Municipal Court Judge Annalisa Williams said the judge stressed education.  “From the time Mike and I started dating he embraced me as his daughter, asking about my grades in school,” she said.  “He mentored me.  He knew politics and absolutely encouraged me to run for judge, telling me the things I needed to do to get there.”

He, too, was always the consummate gentleman and a family man.

Jacqueline Walton, his daughter, described him as a provider, protector, advisor, and friend. “I could depend on him in times of trouble, turn to him in times of loss, and laugh with him in celebration,” Walton said.  “He encouraged me to be bold, independent, confident, and strong. He taught me to never forget the sacrifices our ancestors made to assure the freedoms we have today and to always exercise our right to vote.”

His son-in-law, Kyle Walton, a retired ATF special agent, said the judge’s dedication and life’s work for fairness and justice inspired him. “His (Williams) love for his family made me a better husband and father.”

Before Williams became a judge, he served in the U.S. Army.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education at the University of Akron. He taught at Lane Elementary School and East High School. He also earned his law degree at the University of Akron attending night school. He worked as a supervisor in Akron Parks and Recreation, served as a senior staff member for the city of Akron’s Department of Planning and Urban Development, and was a member of the Akron City Council while in private law practice. He was a member of Wesley Temple AME Zion Church.

Williams was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine, and two brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Jewell Cardwell-Williams; sister-in-law, Ruth Horn of Akron; two children, Michael (Annalisa) Williams and Jacqueline (Kyle) Walton of Toledo; granddaughters Alexandria Williams and Alexis Walton and grandsons, James R. Williams II and Ryan Walton.

The family would like to thank the Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice for their services. Donations can be made to Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation.