Roy Levy Williams was a famous figure in the Detroit and Michigan government who served as an auto executive and president of the Detroit Urban League.
A member since 1958 of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in urban planning.
Williams began his career with the Urban League as a community organizer before leaving to join Milliken’s office and Subsequently returning as president.
Williams served as president and CEO of the Detroit Urban League from 1978 to 1984, as a member of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners and an executive for more than 17 years at Chrysler Corp., where he oversaw community relations before opening his management firm.
Williams is attributed with helping to simulate a strong working and personal relationship between Milliken, a Republican who died in 2019, and former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, a Democrat who died in 1997.
He was recognized as a “Distinguished Warrior” in 2016 by the Urban League for his record of public service. The award is one Williams instituted years earlier when he served as president.
Roy Levy Williams Cause Of Death
According to reports, Williams died on Friday at his home in Grosse Pointe Woods after a brief illness, with his family at his bedside.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, two children; Malik Marc-Levy and Lauren, siblings; Carl and Donna Williams Jackson, and many nieces and nephews.
The giant in community service was 83-years-old.
Williams was buried in Detroit’s historic Elmwood Cemetery.