Williams died on Friday, May 29, at the Andrews Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was 78.

During a career spanning 50 years in horse racing, Williams had the distinction of being the first trainer to saddle 1,000 winners locally.

He has been associated with some truly outstanding horses, including two-time Horse of the Year LEGAL LIGHT, NONE SUCH, DISTINCTLY NATIVE and MIRACLE MAN, who won the Confraternity Classic in Puerto Rico in 2006.

Williams is survived by his wife, June, two children.