The Life and Times of Carl Leon Williams
Carl Leon Williams passed away December 8, 2016 at Medical City, Dallas, Texas. Carl was a product of the Dallas Public Schools, where he was a standout football player at Booker T. Washington High School. After matriculating through college on football scholarships, Carl returned to Dallas and began working for Sun Oil, where he remained until 1961. With encouragement from John Leslie Patton and Coach Raymond E. Hollie, Carl attended Bishop College at night, where he graduated Cum Laude with his Bachelor’s Degree. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Social Science and Math at East Texas State, now Texas A&M – Commerce.
Carl’s illustrious career with DISD began in 1961, at his Alma Mater, Booker T. Washington High School and worked as Assistant Coach to Raymond E. Hollie. Carl was appointed Life Leadership Administrator by DISD administration to conduct seminars for students and teachers during the DISD Desegregation period. As Assistant Principal at T.W. Browne Jr. High School, Carl earned the coveted Principal of the Year honor in 1973. DISD Superintendent Nolan Estes tasked Carl with implementing the Environmental Science program at Sequoyah Jr. High School, which became the Sequoyah Environmental Science Magnet. During his tenure at DISD, Carl was Principal at multiple schools, including Oliver Wendell Holmes and Daniel Webster from which he retired. In Carl’s own words, “after nine years of coaching and twenty-one years as a Principal, it was time to call it quits and play golf”.
Carl’s older brother, Jay, introduced him to the game of golf during a summer vacation in California. Carl‘s introduction to the game was opportune as it made it easier for him to consider retirement. He was a Pro-Duffer and travelled the country playing golf. Carl often spoke of being in Florida on 9-11-2001, playing golf with a group policemen from New York, when the terrorist attack hit.
On February 11, 2016, Carl celebrated sixty-three years of wedded bliss with his high school sweetheart, Melvia Marie Pettigrew Hill. To this union, two sons were born—Carl Dudley and Eric Leon Williams, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Marie; two brothers, J.W. (Esterlyn) Williams of Los Angeles, CA; and Leonard Williams of Dallas, TX; Sister Linda Hardy of Dallas, TX; granddaughter, Felicia Martinez of Grand Rapids, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his sons, waiting to greet Carl in the loving arms of Jesus are his parents, Corine and Willie Odell Williams, his older brother, W.O. Williams and his big sister Opal Williams Jones.
A Wake will be held 6-8 p.m. on Friday, December 16, in Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243; the Funeral Service will be there on Saturday, December 17 at 11:00 a.m.
