Judge Williams

Judge Randall L. Williams, 86, of Little Rock, passed away at home under the care of Arkansas Hospice on December 14, 2010, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was born June 7, 1924, in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, to Jim J. and Thelma Williams. Randall graduated from Dermott High School, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and was admitted to practice law in 1950. Beloved husband of Joan Williams, Randall is also survived by his daughter, Camille Wayne Bennett of Lonoke, two step-sons, Joe Evans and Matthew Evans of Little Rock, two grandchildren, Katie Evans of Pine Bluff and Bobby Evans of Morrilton, a sister, Kathryn Latta of Hot Springs, and many nieces and nephews. Randall was pre-deceased by his twin brother, Ray Williams, of McGehee, his brother, Tullas Williams, of Monticello, and his sister, Elizabeth Shelton, of Stuttgart. Randall served in Japan in the IX Corp. Eighth Army from l947-48. He practiced law in Monticello from 1950-l960, serving in several official capacities such as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Municipal Judge, and State Representative to the Arkansas Legislature for Drew County. In 1960, he moved to Little Rock and served in the USDA General Counsel’s office. In 1961, Randall joined Sam Levine and formed a law practice, Levine and Williams, in downtown Pine Bluff. He served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Jefferson County. In 1970, he was elected as Circuit Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District West of Arkansas and was re-elected in uncontested races until his retirement in 1993. In the true meaning of "circuit," he traveled the state to serve Arkansas, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Desha counties. After retiring from the bench, he dedicated his energies to his passions--hunting, fishing, and gardening. Throughout his career, he was called upon to be of service to his county and his state. In 1975, he was appointed by Governor David Pryor to the Executive Board of the Arkansas Crime Commission. In 1983 Randall was appointed by Governor Bill Clinton to chair the Arkansas Adult Probation Commission later changed to the Arkansas Board of Correction and Community Punishment. He was appointed by the United States Sentencing Commission to its Alternatives to Imprisonment Advisory Committee 1989-1990. In 1993, he was appointed by Governor Jim Guy Tucker to the Board of Correction where he served as Chair until 2000. In 2008, the Arkansas Department of Correction honored Randall by naming a Pine Bluff correctional facility the "Randall L. Williams Correctional Facility." Randall was a member of the American Bar Association, Judicial Administration Division, Arkansas Bar Association, Jefferson County Bar Association, Arkansas Judicial Council Chair 1984-1985, and the American Judicature Society. He was past president of the Pine Bluff Downtown Lions Club 1970-1971, member of the Pine Bluff Rotary Club, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mason, Shriner, and Jester. From 1997 to 2008, Randall and Joan lived in Hot Springs and were active members of First United Methodist Church, where he served on the Board of Stewards and was a member of the "Saints and Sinners" Sunday school class. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Hot Springs on Friday, December 17 at 2 pm. Family visitation will be held at Cupp Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church in Hot Springs or to a charity of choice.

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