Login | April 03, 2026
1st African American Summit Cty. common pleas judge remembered
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: December 11, 2020
A trailblazing civil rights advocate, who opened doors for other African Americans in the legal profession and the greater Akron area, Judge James R. Williams dedicated his life to public service.
The first African American male to serve on the Summit County Common Pleas Court, Judge Williams wore many hats during his lifetime. Whether a U.S. attorney, judge, Akron city council member or an educator, Judge Williams always made time to listen, offer sound advice and lend a hand, said his friend and longtime colleague Edward L. Gilbert.
“Judge Williams was a true leader,” said Gilbert, owner and principal legal counsel at Edward L. Gilbert Co. “No matter how much he accomplished, he remained down-to-earth and respectful.
“He mentored me and many other younger attorneys,” he said. “I will never forget him. He was like family to me.”
On Nov. 6, Judge Williams passed away at the age of 88, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
In his father’s obituary, former Akron City Councilman Michael Williams explains how his dad ingrained in him at a young age the importance of looking out for other people.
“It was part of the family philosophy, how are you going to contribute to the community,” said Michael, one of his two children. “It wasn’t an option. It was a requirement.”
In the obituary, his daughter Jacqueline Walton described him as a “provider, protector, advisor and friend. I could depend on him in times of trouble, turn to him in times of loss and laugh with him in celebration,” Walton said. “He encouraged me to be bold, independent, confident and strong. He taught me to never forget the sacrifices our ancestors made to assure the freedoms we have today and to always exercise our right to vote.”
His daughter-in-law, Akron Municipal Court Judge Annalisa Williams said she misses him greatly.
“Father was a very generous man and he always treated me like his own daughter,” said Judge Annalisa Williams. “I am going to miss his wise counsel. He was the patriarch of our very close-knit family. We spent a great deal of time together, including holidays and annual vacations.
“Father was a man of great faith,” she said. “I think because of his humble beginnings, he believed giving back was a moral obligation. He passed that on to his children.
“I will miss his smile and the twinkling of his eyes when he was around his grandchildren.”
Martin H. Belsky, Randolph Baxter Professor of Law at The University of Akron School of Law called Judge Williams “a role model” for African American lawyers.
“He fought many battles over the years, but he never gave up on his ideals,” said Belsky, a former Akron Law dean. “He was an amazing guy, who achieved so much in his lifetime.”
Born on Sept. 16, 1932 in Columbus, Mississippi, Judge Williams was the eldest of Lillian and Gus Williams’ three sons.
Judge Williams moved to Ohio with his late wife Cathy following active duty in the U.S. Army.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in education and his juris doctorate from The University of Akron in 1960 and 1965 respectively.
“Judge Williams was a revered figure among Akron Law alumni and in the Akron legal community,” said Christopher J. (C.J.) Peters, dean at The University of Akron School of Law. “Among his many accomplishments, he will be remembered as a mentor to countless attorneys who have gone on to enjoy their distinguished careers, including many Black lawyers. His legacy will remain long after his passing.”
“Judge Williams was one of our most devoted alums,” said Belsky. “He was always there whenever the school needed help and he never asked for anything in return. I would often ask him to come in and talk to the students because he was very inspiring and optimistic.”
Prior to taking the bench, Judge Williams taught at Lane Elementary School and East High School in Akron. He also worked as a supervisor in the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and served as a senior staff member for Akron’s Department of Planning and Urban Development.
Together with attorneys Edwin Parms and Norman Purnell, he started Parms, Purnell & Williams (later Parms, Purnell, Stubbs & Williams), the largest African American law firm in Akron at the time.
“They took me in as a law clerk and gave me my start,” said Gilbert. “At the time, African Americans couldn’t get jobs at the big law firms. I am very grateful to them for giving me the opportunity.
“The most valuable lesson Judge Williams taught me was to listen to people. He would say ‘you never know what you might learn.’”
During his time as a partner at the firm, Judge Williams also served on the Akron City Council.
In 1978, former President Jimmy Carter appointed him as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Judge Williams returned to private practice in 1982 with Guren, Merritt, Feibel, Sogg & Cohen. The following year, he was appointed to the Akron Municipal Court, winning elections in 1985 and 1987. During his tenure on the bench, he was also administrative and presiding judge, where he oversaw personnel and administrative matters.
Judge Williams was initially appointed to the Summit County Common Pleas Court in 1989. He was reelected in 1992 and 1998.
Over the years, he presided over many high-profile cases, including the 1992 aggravated murder trial of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who was charged with the death of a Coventry Township man.
“Dad was a walking example of God’s power,” said his son Michael. “He was born on the wrong side of the tracks in Columbus, Mississippi and moved to Ohio and became a judge. He was considered a rock star when he went home to visit.”
Retired Summit County Common Pleas Judge Ted Schneiderman, who served on the bench with Judge Williams, described him as a “quiet and fair judge,” who handled himself well.
“Whenever he had a case, he listened carefully and was always patient with both sides,” said Judge Schneiderman. “He was a kind man, with a long history of community service.”
U.S. District Judge John Adams, who serves in the Northern District of Ohio, was also on the common pleas court bench with Judge Williams.
“I knew Judge Williams by reputation, but I got to know him much better when we were on the bench together and we became friends,” said Judge Adams. “He was a very kind and gentlemanly individual. Even though we were of different political persuasions, his door was open to me whenever I needed advice.
“Judge Williams was the type of man who could disagree with you without being disagreeable,” said Judge Adams. “He was more like a counselor, who preferred to steer your thinking in his direction, if possible.”
A lifetime NAACP member, Judge Williams was secretary of the Akron NAACP and vice president of the Ohio NAACP.
On the national level, he was the 25th general president of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He was also the principal founder of the nonprofit Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Inc., which builds affordable housing for low and moderate-income families and the elderly.
The James R. Williams Tower--a senior citizens apartment building in Akron—is named in his honor.
“Father loved people and was always concerned with the plight of the poor and disenfranchised,” said Judge Annalisa Williams. “He did so many wonderful things and I don’t think he fully realized the monumental impact he had on other people’s lives. He loved being a judge. He saw it as an opportunity to give people second chances. Even before specialized dockets, he was always trying to get help for people with substance abuse and mental health problems.”
Judge Williams was a member of Wesley Temple AME Zion Church and held numerous positions at legal and other organizations, including serving as president of the board at Akron Children’s Hospital as well as the president of the Ohio Common Pleas Judges Association, the Summit County Legal Services Program, the Metro YMCA, the Summit County Community Action Agency, the Salvation Army, Leadership Akron and the Akron Roundtable.
Once a former infielder on the baseball team at The University of Akron, his family said he was “thrilled” when he got the opportunity to escort his idol, Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, to an Akron NAACP engagement.
Judge Williams also had the chance to meet former President Barack Obama, along with the other Obamas, when he was invited to the White House during a celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Monument.
Named one of the 100 most influential Black Americans and Organizational Leaders by Ebony magazine in 1963, Judge Williams received many accolades during his lifetime, including the prestigious Sir Thomas More award in 2001; the President’s Social Responsibility Award from Kent State University in 1999; The UA Public Administration Urban Light Award in 2004; and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from UA in 2005.
Former Akron Law Legal Clinic Director and Professor of Law Emeritus J. Dean Carro said Judge Williams was a “pioneer,” who made the most of his legal education.
“Judge Williams was a remarkable person,” said Carro. “He was an inspiration to so many people, not only African American lawyers. He understood where people were coming from and he cared about helping them.”
A private memorial service has taken place. The family is planning a larger community celebration of life in the spring or summer, depending on the status of the pandemic.
Judge Williams is survived by his wife Jewell Cardwell-Williams; sister-in-law Ruth Horn of Akron; children Michael (Annalisa) Williams and Jacqueline (Kyle) Walton of Toledo; granddaughters Alexandria Williams and Alexis Walton and grandsons James R. Williams II and Ryan Walton.
His first wife Catherine and his two brothers preceded him in death.