Draft:William Muir Williams

William Muir Williams (February 4, 1850 – September 18, 1916) was a justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri in 1898.

"Judge William Muir Williams of Boonville, one of the best-known lawyers in Missouri, died suddenly this morning at his home, after a serious illness of several months. Death was caused by heart failure. The first word of the death came here in telegrams to his daughters, Misses Jessie and Sue, students in the University, and to his brother, Dean Walter Williams of the School of Journalism. These left this afternoon for Boon-figure In the Supreme Court of this state and the Federal courts. There were few cases in Central Missouri In which he took no part. ... In 1889 he was appointed by Governor Francis as President or the Board of Managers of the Reform School for Boys, and was reappointed by Governor Stone. He was a Mason, and was Grand Master of Missouri in 1888 and was made one of the directors of the Masonic Home in St. Louis. Judge Williams was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri on January 29, 1898, to fill a vacancy left by Chief Justice Barclay. Governor Stephens made the appointment.

Williams was born February 4, 1850 at Boonville, Mo. His parents were Virginians, and his father, Marcus Williams was one of the foremost citizens of Cooper County. Judge Williams was educated at the Kemper School in Boonville, and when he decided to study law, entered the office of Draffen and Muir, one of the leading law firms of Boonville. After studying for some time with these men, he was admitted to the bar in Boonville, March, 1873 and began his practice. On the death of Muir, Judge Williams entered the firm, which took the name of Draffen and Williams. In this partnership he continued until 1896, when Draffen died, and then practiced alone. He was in Boonville for 24 years and attained great eminence as a diligent student and a successful practioner. ... Although a loyal Democrat, Judge Williams never dabbled in politics. His elevation to the Supreme bench of the state came by appointment and this position he resigned, and then refused to accept the renomination which was offered him. His ability was recognized again in 1903, when he was elected president of the Missouri Bar Association, and again in 1904, when he was a delegate to the Universal Congress of Lawyers and Jurists, meeting in St. Louis. He was also a non-resident lecturer in law for the University of Missouri."

In 1875, Williams married Jessie Evans, a daughter of Dr. Edwin C. Evans, of Sedalia, Missouri, with whom he had five daughters and one son.