John H. Williams; L.A. Real Estate Figure for 50 Years
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John Howard Williams, nationally known commercial real estate broker who handled Downtown Los Angeles properties for more than 50 years, has died. He was 88.
Williams, a vice president of the pioneering firm R. A. Rowan & Co., died Sept. 18 in Vista, Calif., of complications from Parkinson’s disease.
As head of property management and sales and leasing for the Rowan firm, Williams oversaw major development during the 1950s and 1960s. He handled several hundred commercial properties Downtown plus the Wrigley interests on Catalina Island.
Williams served as president of the National Assn. of Building Owners & Managers from 1957 to 1961. He was also president and a director of the Los Angeles Realty Board and president of the Los Angeles Building Owners and Managers Assn.
A tireless community service leader, Williams was a board member and vice president of the Braille Institute.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jennie Mae Williams of Vista; their daughter, Diane Marie Martin of San Marcos, Calif.; a granddaughter, and two great-grandchildren.
The family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Hospice of the North Coast, 2380 Camino Vida Roble, Suite F, Carlsbad, Calif., or to the American Heart Assn.
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