Sidney Williams, husband of Rep. Maxine Waters, to be U.S. envoy to Bahamas

Jet, Nov 8, 1993

Sidney Williams is slated for a new career - beating the drums or Uncle Sam in the Bahamas.

President Clinton nominated the popular 51-year-old California Mercedes Benz car consultant-salesman for the intriguing diplomatic post, the first time a Black has served as envoy to the Caribbean nation. Industry spokesmen say that Williams "heads the list for filmdom's top stars" for his salesmanship.

Williams goes before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next month for his confirmation hearing with the best of credentials. He is the husband of outspoken and perpetually active California Rep. Maxine Waters and has a tremendous business record.

Besides, he is one of the unsung heroes of professional football's Black brigade. During his five pro years, he served as a linebacker on three championship teams, starting with the Cleveland Browns, then the Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Colts. He also played a year with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After football, he started as a business developer with ex-Cleveland Brown star Jim Brown's Black Economic Union in Los Angeles, Williams served as a legislative aide in the City Council, and was project manager of the Community Redevelopment Agency. He joined Mercedes Benz in 1979.

A native of Shreveport, La., he graduated from Southern University and received a master's at Pepperdine University.

He served in the National Guard both on active and reserve duty. He is married to the state's most militant lawmaker and they are the parents of two stepchildren, Edward and Karen.