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In Memory

Dean Alvin Williams - Class Of 1970

TRACK AND FIELD ‘Pride of Omaha Tech’

Dean Williams sprinted with style

  • Dean Williams runs the anchor leg in the 440 relay for Kansas State at the 1973 Kansas relays. 

     

Posted: Tuesday, August 5, 2014 1:00 am | Updated: 11:56 pm, Tue Aug 5, 2014.

Dean Williams ran with the nation’s best sprinters.

Sometimes with bells laced to his shoes and a toothpick in his mouth.

 

“I want people (opponents) to know I’m coming, especially in the 100,” Williams explained as a Kansas State freshman in 1971. “If I’m ahead, they won’t catch me. But if I’m behind, I want ’em to hear me coming.”

A three-time Big Eight track champion who was a 1974 NCAA All-American in indoor track, Williams died Monday at an Omaha hospice. He was 62.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Before graduating from Omaha Tech in 1970, Williams won gold medals in the 100-yard dash at the state track meet in 1968 and 1969 and the 220 in 1969. In 1970, he finished second in the 100 and third in the 220 to Karl Webb of Omaha North, who died last month.

“They were rivals,” said his brother, the Rev. Sherwin Williams. “Then they were in hospice at the same time.”

At Kansas State, Williams was Big Eight outdoor champion in the 100 (a dead heat) in 1972 — beating future Oakland Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch. He was on the winning 440 relay in 1973 and was the conference indoor champion in the 60 in 1974. By then, the bells and toothpick had disappeared once he became a team co-captain.

“They look to me for leadership. I just decided that those things weren’t adding much,” he said in 1974.

As a freshman, he ran a wind-aided 9.33 to finish fourth in the 100 at the 1971 Texas Relays. The winner, at 9.25, was Branch. Williams’ time remains No. 17 on an all-time list of wind-aided 100s.

Williams also lettered in football for the Wildcats in 1973 and 1974.

“At one time he was the pride of Omaha and definitely the pride of Omaha Tech,” said Johnny Rodgers, the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner who was a year ahead of Williams at Tech. “We got spoiled expecting those things he did. He made a mark here. A world-class athlete.”

Williams graduated from Kansas State and worked as a program specialist for Greater Omaha Community Action. Rev. Williams said his brother later taught at Mann Ninth Grade Center and worked as a corrections guard.

Dean Williams was one of six children.

“Coming up as kids, I was protective of him,” said Rev. Williams, who was an older brother. “I would fistfight for him because I loved him.”

Survivors also include a sister, Beverly Williams, who lives in Texas.

A fund has been established at U.S. Bank to defray funeral expenses. Donations can be made at any branch to the Dean Williams Memorial Fund or by calling 402-453-2033.
 

 

 
 



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