Joseph Daniel Williams

JD was born in Dallas, TX to Joseph Henry Williams and Velma Hooten on

December 15, 1946. He went to school in Dallas and graduated high school from

Port Lavaca, Texas.

JD served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He began his career at

Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1965 and continued for 44 years.

During this time, he was elected as President of CWA Local 6215, a position

he held for 22 years. JD also held the position of Vice President of the Dallas

AFL-CIO. He built a reputation as an organizer and innovator who believed all

members should have the opportunity to excel.

He insisted on a strong voice for smaller local unions. He was a key advocate on

historically important and intricate telecommunications legislation in the Texas

Legislature and Congress, always making certain that the interest of working

families were represented. JD also advocated strongly for raising the status of

women and promoting civil rights, helping build diversity at the phone com-

pany. His trademark style – a fusion of integrity, calm and wisdom – won him

wide respect.

In the realm of community service, JD’s leadership helped establish a Blood

Club Account for employees of the Wadley Central Blood Bank and involved

labor in efforts to promote adoption of children. Perhaps most importantly, he

served as a mentor and confidant to later generations of CWA members,

showing how a quiet style can accompany fierce support for working families.

JD is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Velma Williams, his brother,

Larry Williams and sisters Cathy Rendon and Cindy Rendon.

JD is survived by his sisters Joanna Hawkins of Port Lavaca, Texas, Tina Rendon

Munoz of Victoria,Texas, 13 nieces and nephews and Karen Piper, his love and companion.