BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont's first Black city council member, Calvin Williams, Sr., has died at the age of 90.
Williams was first elected to the Beaumont City Council in 1970 and served through 1982, before returning for one more term.
He died on Saturday, October 26, 2024, in Beaumont.
Services for Williams are pending at Mercy Funeral home in Beaumont.
Williams' passion for government started long before he was elected to the council, his granddaughter told 12News in 2016. He taught government at Beaumont Charlton-Pollard High School.
"For the community his election meant a lot as far as pride was concerned," his granddaughter, Lauren Williams told 12News in 2016. "They felt represented and they had a voice because if you could imagine being in a city where only one group controls city council, it's easy to feel like your voice isn't being heard or your agenda isn't being met."
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
