According to a statement released by his family to Punch,
the veteran actor died at his home in Ikom, Cross River State.
Williams had a career that spanned over five decades. He was
popular for his roles in hit soap operas such as Village Headmaster, Ripples,
and Mirror in The Sun among others.
Williams, who was the inaugural president of the Actors
Guild of Nigeria (AGN), earned a prestigious national honour, Member of the
Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2008.
The deceased was educated at CMS Grammar School, Lagos.
Immediately after independence, Williams travelled to England where he studied
Journalism at London School of Journalism before proceeding to study English at
Morley College and later Drama at Mountview Theatre School and Stratford E15
Acting School to become a professional actor.
He lectured Theatre Arts in three Nigerian universities
including University of Lagos, Lagos State University, and University of
Calabar.
Williams emerged the first actor to ever perform on top of
1,200 feet high Zuma Rock in Abuja where he performed his late friend, Maman
Vatsa’s poem, ‘The Bird that Sings in the Rain’.
“He will be greatly missed by his family members and
friends.
Burial arrangements will be announced soon,” the statement
from his family reads.