William Williams

William Joseph Williams, Sr. (1916 – August 23, 2009) was the co-owner of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team of the National League from through with his brother James Williams. They sold the Reds to Marge Schott in 1984. Williams was a part owner of the Cincinnati Bengals from the team's founding in 1968 until his death. Before baseball, Williams was chairman of Western & Southern Life Insurance Company, co-founded by his father in 1888. He joined the family firm in 1939 and was on the firm's board of directors from 1954 to 1984. For a brief break, Williams was president of North American Management and Development Company. He returned to Western & Southern as president and COO and then as president and CEO. Williams graduated from Georgetown University in 1939.