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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > May > 04 > Entry
Fond memories of Omar Williams
MENTOR TO MANY, FRIEND TO ALL
===LUDWIG AT LARGE is deeply saddened by the death of longtime WDTN Sports Director Omar Williams. I’d like to extend my sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Mr. Williams’ family.===
The sports world has lost a dear friend and the broadcasting industry has lost a true pioneer, a giant, an icon, a legend.
Omar Williams, who died at the age of 83 in Marco Island, Fla., was one of a kind. He had a pleasant, unmistakable voice to go with that brush mustache, and wherever there was a sporting event in the Miami Valley, he was there.
As a kid growing up in Cincinnati. I first saw Omar’s face and heard his voice on Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason telecasts. He handled the sideline reporting.
When I landed at the Dayton Daily News in June 1979, just before my 25th birthday, I finally met Omar, and I began to see him everywhere. Football, basketball and baseball games. Golf tournaments. Dayton Gems hockey games. And, of course, one of his true loves — the Indianapolis 500. I covered 16 Indy 500s. Omar was at every one.
Anchored at WDTN, Omar was like your best friend, visiting your home every night with sports news, features and opinion. I treasure his friendship and value his professionalism. He was a mentor to many, a friend to all.
As great a sportscaster as he was, he was an even finer gentleman. A true prince in gym shoes.
Rest easy, ol’ friend.
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Comments
By Kerry
May 4, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
Ditto! Broadcasting as it was meant to be. One of the “GREATS”. You will forever live among us Omar!By Lori
May 5, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
I’m so sad that we have lost yet another one of the pioneers of Dayton broadcasting. Omar Williams was a true professional. I’m grateful that he wrote of his experiences in early television in his book a few years ago. He was always very kind to me and he will be missed.By Mac
May 5, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Worked on many things with Omar, from Red’s spring training and Opening Days at Riverfront, to a Bengal’s Super Bowl trip in Miami, to the Montgomery County Fair’s Sale of Champions… what I remember most about working with Omar, and that means also working with Charlie “Cut-Away” Day and Bob “Scoop” Philips and Ronnie Hicks and a company of great people, is how cool a person “O” really was. You knew this guy was your friend. He was just fun to be around… especially any trip to Florida to cover spring training… I don’t think I ever had to pay my tab when Omar was around. I also remember while covering Red’s spring training, managers from the other teams, LA’s Lasorta in particular, would yell across the field as soon as they saw Omar arrive: “Hey, it’s Omar! Hey Omar! Hey Omar’s here!” That’s respect! Pete Rose even gave “O” an interview at the team hotel at about 10pm at night because that was the only time “O” and Pete could get together… because Pete simply wanted to do that for Omar Williams. Look up “gentleman” in the dictonary, and it will say: “see professional.” When you look up professional, it will say: “Omar Williams.” Don McKenny Producer/Director WDTN TV2 1977-1989By Mac
May 5, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Worked on many things with Omar, from Red’s spring training and Opening Days at Riverfront, to a Bengal’s Super Bowl trip in Miami, to the Montgomery County Fair’s Sale of Champions… what I remember most about working with Omar, and that means also working with Charlie “Cut-Away” Day and Bob “Scoop” Philips and Ronnie Hicks and a company of great people, is how cool a person “O” really was. You knew this guy was your friend. He was just fun to be around… especially any trip to Florida to cover spring training… I don’t think I ever had to pay my tab when Omar was around. I also remember while covering Red’s spring training, managers from the other teams, LA’s Lasorta in particular, would yell across the field as soon as they saw Omar arrive: “Hey, it’s Omar! Hey Omar! Hey Omar’s here!” That’s respect! Pete Rose even gave “O” an interview at the team hotel at about 10pm at night because that was the only time “O” and Pete could get together… because Pete simply wanted to do that for Omar Williams. Look up “gentleman” in the dictonary, and it will say: “see professional.” When you look up professional, it will say: “Omar Williams.” Don McKenny Producer/Director WDTN TV2 1977-1989By Mac
May 5, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Worked on many things with Omar, from Red’s spring training and Opening Days at Riverfront, to a Bengal’s Super Bowl trip in Miami, to the Montgomery County Fair’s Sale of Champions… what I remember most about working with Omar, and that means also working with Charlie “Cut-Away” Day and Bob “Scoop” Philips and Ronnie Hicks and a company of great people, is how cool a person “O” really was. You knew this guy was your friend. He was just fun to be around… especially any trip to Florida to cover spring training… I don’t think I ever had to pay my tab when Omar was around. I also remember while covering Red’s spring training, managers from the other teams, LA’s Lasorta in particular, would yell across the field as soon as they saw Omar arrive: “Hey, it’s Omar! Hey Omar! Hey Omar’s here!” That’s respect! Pete Rose even gave “O” an interview at the team hotel at about 10pm at night because that was the only time “O” and Pete could get together… because Pete simply wanted to do that for Omar Williams. Look up “gentleman” in the dictonary, and it will say: “see professional.” When you look up professional, it will say: “Omar Williams.” Don McKenny Producer/Director WDTN TV2 1977-1989By nullDean F. Jones
May 6, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
I remember omare before he grew his mustach, used to see him tooling around Dayton in his new Red ford convertable back in the mid-fifties. He was like a celebrity for me, I had bought a TV in 1949 when they were more or less scarce and the whole neighborhood would be in my home every night watching. Ha! We have lost a good one and it is sad , espeially when you are older than Omar. God rest his soul and my the good Lord look after his wife and family.