Chuck Williams, founder of Williams Institute, dies

qvoicenews.com:

Chuck Williams, the founder and namesake of the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, died on Wednesday, the LGBTQ+ think tank said Tuesday.

Brad Sears, the Williams Institute’s founding executive director, announced Williams’ death at a gala awards reception honoring champions in LGBTQ+ advocacy, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Friday night at the 2023 Williams Institute Annual Update Conference.

Chuck Williams’ passing “All of us are here at the Williams Institute event because 23 years ago, Chuck Williams had the vision and the generosity and the drive and cornered many of you over lunch or dinner to create the Williams Institute, which has had such an incredible impact on all of us in our world,” Sears said as he welcomed guests to UCLA’s Faculty Club, the Advocate reported.  “I’m really sorry to have to start tonight by telling you that Chuck passed away on (Wednesday) night,” Sears added as a groan washed over the crowd. “Chuck loved the Institute.

You know that. You’ve seen him at every single event that we’ve ever had except this one. This is the first one that he and (his husband Stu Walter) will miss,” Sears said.