Curtis Williams, dean of Mt. Vernon attorneys and one of southern Illinois' best known men, died at 3:20 p.m. Sunday. He was 88 years, eight months and 17 days of age.

Mr. Williams, a practicing attorney for 58 years, suffered an apparent stroke Sunday afternoon at his home, 401 north Ninth street. He was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he died 30 minutes after arrival.

A graduate of Ewing College and the University of Missouri, he was admitted to the bar in 1904. Mr. Williams served as city attorney of Mt. Vernon four terms and was the county's Master in Chancery for 16 years. Despite advancing age, he enjoyed good health and was a practicing attorney up to the day of his death.

As a young man Mr. Williams taught school for seven years in Jefferson county. He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge for 65 years. Fellow lawyers of southern Illinois paid high tribute to Mr. Williams in 1959 when they presented him with a framed certificate of award for perfect attendance of 44 years at the annual meeting of the Federation of Local Bar Associations of the First Supreme Court district. Mr. Williams, a senior counselor of the federation, was present when the association was organized in 1916. In October last year he was again honored as he added the 46th year to his perfect attendance record at the annual meeting in Belleville. Seven years ago the Jefferson County Bar Association paid its highest tribute to Mr. Williams by conferring upon him a lifetime membership. In a resolution his fellow attorneys hailed him for exemplifying the honesty and dignity expected of his position and credited him with keeping the association an active one through the years. He was a member of the state and national bar associations.

Mr. Williams was born July 21, 1873 in Spring Garden, Jefferson county, the son of Dr. Stephen Lacy Williams and Margaret Williams.

On June 11, 1907 he was married, at Waltonville, to Maude Gilbert, who survives.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, County Judge Alvin Lacy Williams; a brother, Alsa Williams of Centralia; and a niece, Mae Crews of Mt. Vernon.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Myers Chapel. The Rev. Dale Harmon and the Rev. M. A. Souers will officiate and burial will be in Oakwood cemetery. The body will lie in state at Myers Chapel, where friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: Unknown
Submitted by: Cindy Ford