Foundation Board Member Ted Williams Dies
The ACLU of Southern California mourns the passing of Theodore Earl Williams, an entrepreneur who not only ran a multinational corporation, but also put his skills and influence to use in passionate pursuit of civil liberties and justice.
Williams, a member of the Foundation board since 1999, died in September. He was 86.
After serving in World War II, Williams began a successful business career that culminated in his becoming Chief Executive Officer of Bell Industries. Under his leadership, the company grew to have earnings of nearly $1 billion.
He was also active in the peace movement and was involved with many organizations ranging from The Interfaith Center to Reverse the Arms Race to Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities, which advocates for redirecting the military budget toward increased investment in needs such as education, health care, job training and energy independence.
In addition to being co-founder of the California Clean Money Campaign, Williams was one of the founders and president of the Early Childhood Center at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, and was a past president of Leo Baeck Temple. Together with his wife Rita, Ted helped found the Opica Day Care Center for the Frail Elderly.
"Ted was a true civil libertarian," said Ramona Ripston, ACLU/SC chief executive officer. "Our state, our city and our organization were made better by his leadership and influence."
