Departures of note

Hal Williams, born Halroy Candis Williams on December 14, 1938, in Columbus, Ohio, worked as a juvenile corrections officer before pursuing acting. He moved to Hollywood in 1968 and quickly established himself as a television presence. His breakthrough came with his recurring role as Officer 'Smitty' Smith on 'Sanford and Son' from 1972 to 1977, where he translated police jargon into vernacular that resonated with audiences. He also appeared on numerous other shows including 'The Waltons,' 'Good Times,' 'Roots: The Next Generation,' 'The Jeffersons,' and 'Magnum P.I.'

Williams became widely recognized for portraying Lester Jenkins, the family patriarch on NBC's '227' alongside Marla Gibbs from 1985 to 1990. The sitcom was notable for depicting a positive middle-class Black family and addressing social issues. His film work included 'Private Benjamin,' 'Guess Who,' and 'Flight,' and he frequently played law enforcement characters throughout his career.

Williams died on July 15, 2026, at his home in Rancho Mirage at age 91. He was remembered by his representative as a cultural touchstone who represented an image of Black fatherhood that was loving and steadfast.