Jordan Williams

Family-Placed Death Notice

JORDAN WILLIAMS Atlanta Actor, Writer, Voice Talent Jordan Williams, respected film and television actor, died Monday March 13, 2006 at his home in Atlanta. He was 50. Williams succumbed after a lengthy illness. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Williams attended prestigious Lane Technical School and Southern Illinois University. His professional career began as a building contractor in Chicago, but his passion for acting soon drew him to starring roles in local stage productions. By the mid-seventies he put his tools aside to become an actor. In 1978 Jordan relocated in Atlanta, where he honed his comedic and musical skills as a featured performer in Phil and Nancy Erickson's much lauded "Wits End Players". And, when SuperStation WTBS introduced its gothic southern soap opera "The Catlins", Jordan was cast in the leading role of Beau Catlin, the handsome, charismatic, heir to the Catlin dynasty. The series suffered through implausible storylines but Jordan managed to introduce an element of class and believability into the campy drama. When ABC Television produced the network miniseries "Elvis, The Early Years" Jordan was cast as Sam Phillips, Elvis's mentor and owner of Sun Records in Memphis. Williams co-starred in ten of the thirteen episodes. Sam Philips praised Jordan's performance as "a totally accurate and flattering portrayal." Jordan went on to star or co-star in "My Dog Skip", "The Oldest Living Confederate Widow", "Heat of the Night", "Complex of Fear", "Kent State", "Jaws of Satan", "Savannah", "Tank", "Mama Flora's Family", "Super Boy", "Swamp Thing", "Matlock", "Sacrifice", "Separated by Murder", "Super Force", "Steel Chariots", and the soaps "One Life to Live", "Ryan's Hope" and "All My Children". He has been the voice talent for countless commercials and international industrial training projects. Jordan expanded his musical parameters, writing, producing and performing, sometimes for commercial release, other times simply for the enjoyment of close friends and family. He created screenplays, novels, short stories, children's books and poetry. His proudest moment came when his own original feature film "Final Cut" went into production. Jordan starred. In recent years Jordan Williams has become a recognized artist. His whimsical works of art are cherished acquisitions in homes across the United States and his sketches adorn books for both young and old. An exhibit of his works is planned for an Atlanta art gallery sometime soon. Jordan Williams is survived by a sister, Charlotte "Sherry" Mattingly, nephews Bryan and Jason, and a brother Charles Arnold Jr. and niece Victoria, and his loving friends. A memorial will be held during his art exhibition. Dates to be announced. As they say; "Jordan Williams has left the building". But as long as there's an AMC, a Turner Classic Movies, a TBS, a Fox Network, an ABC, an NBC, or a little art gallery in Atlanta his presence lives on. Arrangements by H. M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, 404-261-3510.