Collin Mattick Williams

Finding few opportunities in his native country, Dr. Williams immigrated to the United States in 1953, and after a stint in the Army, settled in Seattle. He earned education degrees and became a Seattle School District principal and administrator, helping develop and later lead the African American Academy.

Throughout his career, Dr. Williams sought to encourage the underdog, enlighten the privileged and listen to all points of view. Known for his steady grace, Dr. Williams was involved in race relations during some of the tensest times in Seattle history and is remembered for inspiring the same love of learning he discovered as a boy.

Dr. Williams died Sunday of renal failure. He was 73.

In Belize, then called British Honduras, Dr. Williams did not feel judged by the color of his skin, but that quickly changed when he came to the United States. The Army classified him as Caucasian, not knowing what to make of a black man with a West Indian accent.

"He thought that was ridiculous," said his wife, Carole Williams.

He earned a high-school diploma from Seattle Central Community College and, some two decades later, an education doctorate from Seattle University in 1980. He married Carole in 1960, and they had two children, Collin and Teresa.

From 1967-69, he taught sixth grade at Harrison Elementary School, later renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. Among his pupils was future Seattle City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck.

"I count him as one of my most important mentors in my life," Steinbrueck said. "He was an inspirational leader in turbulent times."

Steinbrueck said he spoke with Dr. Williams through the years and visited him a few days before he died.

After a stint as principal at Madrona Elementary, Dr. Williams transferred to district headquarters in 1975, and eventually became assistant superintendent.

Much of his career was devoted to integrating schools. The district instituted mandatory busing in 1978, and Williams was instrumental in carrying out with the program. He retired in 1992 but came back as principal of the African American Academy from 1993 to 2000.

At the time, he was credited with helping a troubling school find its footing. "I don't think anyone thought that a 100 percent black school could really make it. This school is making it," he told The Seattle Times in 1999.

"He was happiest there," Carole said. "Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't work, but there was a lot of pride."

Rickie Malone, who served as vice principal of the African American Academy under Williams and now leads the school, said Dr. Williams was one of her "forever friends."

"His way was to listen to everyone at the table," Malone said. "The people who worked under him will remember him as a kind and gentle man."

Symbolizing his importance to the school, its library is named after Dr. Williams, a fitting tribute to his passions, said his friends.

In addition to his wife and two children, Dr. Williams is survived by two grandchildren, three brothers and five sisters.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethel Christian Church, 200 24th Ave. South, in Seattle. A viewing will be held at 10:30 a.m. before the service, and from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Evergreen-Washelli Mortuary, 11111 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle.

Remembrances may be made to the Collin Williams Library, African American Academy, 8311 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118.