Claude P. Williams

November 3, 1935 – March 24, 2018

Long time thoroughbred industry professional Claude P. Williams, son of the late Hazel P. and Dempsey D. Williams Jr.,  passed away at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge Saturday March 24, after a brain injury suffered in a fall earlier in the week. He was 82.

Williams started his thoroughbred career as a freelance journalist for the Daily Racing Form in 1965.  He was a chart caller for the Daily Racing Form for 10 years, becoming a staff columnist until 1981.  He then took the job as manager of Franks Farms in Shreveport, Louisiana until 1983.

Williams purchased Louisiana Horse magazine from the late Jack Lohman in 1984 and was editor and publisher from 1984 to 1988 when his son, the late Kyle Williams, became editor.

In March of 1988, Williams became a state steward for the Louisiana Racing Commission. In November of 1989, he was appointed Executive Director of the Louisiana Racing Commission by Governor Buddy Roemer, a position he held through September of 1991.

From there he moved to Alabama to be Executive Secretary of the Birmingham Racing Commission.  He retired from that position in December of 2003. In retirement, he continued his interest in the thoroughbred industry as an author.

Service is at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Westwood Presbyterian Church, Dothan, Alabama.

Survivors include his wife Rosemary Williams of  Dothan, Alabama; Son Keith Williams of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; Daughter Kelly Williams Odom of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; Step Son Richard Glaze of Warrior, Alabama; Step Son Alan Glaze of Hoover, Alabama; Brother Raymond L. Williams, of  Gulf Breeze, Florida; Ex-wife, Martha Williams of Springfield, Louisiana; 8 Grandchildren; 5 Great Grandchildren, and  4 Step Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by son Kyle T. Williams, brother Lawrie G. Williams and  brother Dempsey D. Williams, III.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Baptist Children’s Homes of Alabama or  Westwood Presbyterian Church of Dothan, Alabama.