AFRAM BILL WILLIAMS (1947-2026)
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Actor and playwright Afram Bill Williams passed away on March 13 at the age of 79. His stage credits include several Steppenwolf Theatre Company productions, such as BALM IN GILEAD, TRACERS, CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS, OF MICE AND MEN and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, which transferred to London and Broadway. He was also in a production of STREAMERS which later transferred to the Jane Addams Hull House Center’s New Broadway Theatre. Other credits include RENEGADE FAREWELL (BlackBird Theatre) and A JUNGLE OF CITIES (Latino Chicago). Bill also appeared in and helped adapt the Remains Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of MOBY DICK. His screen credits include THE FUGITIVE, CHAIN REACTION and FLATLINERS.
After stepping away from acting many years ago, Bill focused his creative energies on poetry and playwriting. A self-taught writer, he had three produced plays, including FLYING KITES. He also was the recipient of Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Local Hero Award for his work with YouTheatre Southwest. Bill W.C. Afram Williams was born Jan 21, 1947, in Minter City, Mississippi to W.C. Gray and Viola McNutt Williams. He attended Amanda Elsley High School in Greenwood Mississippi until his junior year when he was convicted of burglary and sentenced to 15 years in the infamous Parchman Prison Farm. Paroled after 5 years, he moved to Chicago in the 1970s. Eventually, he attended Malcolm X College where his love of theater led him to study acting at St. Nicholas Theatre, and that connection then led him to Steppenwolf. Outside of theatre, Bill spent 28 years working at Canteen Vending Service, which is where he met his wife of 32 years, Lydia. They have one child, Neena Natasha, and a grandson. |