Minneapolis and the Gophers football community lost a wonderful person yesterday when Dr. John Williams passed away. He died unexpectedly while on a walk and his death is stunning to his family and many friends.
John was recovering from a kidney transplant and looking forward to being inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in September. He was a key player on the 1967 Gophers Big Ten championship team.
John was a native of Toledo who turned down Ohio State coach Woody Hayes and instead accepted a scholarship to Minnesota. With the Gophers he became an All-American offensive tackle. He was a first round draft choice of the Baltimore Colts and later played for the Los Angeles Rams.
After football John set up his dental practice on the north side of Minneapolis. He’s been a role model for not only African Americans in the community but for many others and he’s been honored for his volunteer activities.
A lay minister, John visited prison inmates for more than 25 years. He surely greeted those prisoners with the same friendly manner and kindness he showed his family, friends, and patients.
John was loved and appreciated by all those whose lives he enriched. He will not be replaced in our hearts and memories.
My most heartfelt sympathies to John’s wife Barbara and family.
Funeral arrangements are pending.