TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
as the sponsor of the first Black Student Union at Waukegan East High School. Additionally, he was a life member of the Fraternity and a charter member of the Waukegan (IL) Alumni Chapter. He served as the first Strategus of the newly formed chapter. Williams served in many capacities in the chapter, the most distinguished of which was Polemarch. He served as the chapter’s 4th Pole- march from 1985 to 1988. Williams served as the Social Committee Chair- man, Community Service Committee Chairman, and a member of the Nominat- ing Committee for many years as well. Brother Morlot Williams leaves behind his beloved wife Renee Williams of 24 years, his children Marla Williams of Chicago, IL, Ryan Williams (Epsilon Eta 2007); Derek Henry Williams; IL, grandchildren Miles & Mariella Fallon; Harper Williams; his brother Lionel Williams (Epsilon Eta 1970); and sister Vanessa Williams. He was preceded in death his by Father, Otis L. Williams Sr, and his mother Virginia Williams, and his and brother Otis L Williams Jr. (Epsilon Eta 1966). ♦
George Wilson 1942-2023 Olympic Gold Medalist, Professional Basketball Player, and Author R etired professional basketball player George “Jiff” Wilson (Beta Eta 1962) entered the Chapter Invisible on July 29, 2023. Wilson was born in Recruited by numer- ous universities, Wilson attended the University of Cincinnati due to his admi- ration for UC basketball
star, Oscar Robertson (Beta Eta 1960). After playing on the freshman team, Coach Ed Jucker placed Wilson into the Bearcats’ starting lineup in the 14th game of his sophomore year (1961- 1962). Wilson averaged 9 points per game, helping the Bearcats win a second consecutive NCAA men’s basketball championship defeating Ohio State University in the national championship game 71-59. During Wilson’s years on the varsity team, the Cincinnati Bearcat program won an NCAA championship, two Missouri Valley Conference titles, and two NCAA Regional titles. The Bear- cats nearly won three titles in a row but were upset in overtime by Loyola University-Chicago in the 1963 national champion- ship game.
Meridian, MS, on May 9, 1942. He left Mississippi as a small child to live with his father in California before moving to the west side of Chicago to live with his mother and stepfather. He attended John Marshall High School and led the Commandos basketball team as a center to four straight appear- ances in the Chicago Public League, winning the Illinois state champi- onships in 1958 and 1960. A 6’8”, 225 lb center, Wilson scored more than 2,200 points during his high school career, was a multiple All-State selec- tion, the first winner of the Chicago Sun-Times’ Player of the Year award, a first-team Parade Maga- zine All-American.
After his senior year, Wilson made the 1964
United States men’s Olym- pic basketball which won a gold medal in Toyko, Japan. Also, in 1964, the NBA Cincinnati Royals drafted Wilson as a territorial pick (eighth overall) in the 1964 NBA Draft. Wilson played seven NBA seasons for six NBA franchises, retiring after the 1970-71 season. Following his NBA career, Wilson returned to Cin- cinnati, where he worked many years at the Citizen’s Committee on Youth (CCY), the YMCA (Melrose and Lincoln Heights), and for the Cincinnati Board of Education.
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SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 111
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