The Rev. Londell Williams, a former Texarkana, Ark., mayor and the city's longest-serving board member, died Monday.
He was 78.
An ardent supporter of his constituents and ward, Williams became a city board member in 1977 and served until 2014, a total of 37 years. He was elected mayor in the mid-90s as a result of a lawsuit he filed against the city.
A rather flashy and commanding personality, Williams' redistricting lawsuit ultimately changed the way city board members were elected. Prior to the lawsuit, four board members were elected from wards and three, including the mayor, were elected by all voters regardless of their residency.
Williams argued this created a super majority ward and diluted the black vote.
In the mid-90s, the legal challenge was successful and the city temporarily phased in a system where all seven board members were elected from within wards and those members elected the mayor among themselves. The city later reverted to electing the mayor citywide and six board members from respective wards.
Williams was also a longtime pastor of Park Avenue Baptist Church.
Arrangements are pending with Lyles Funeral Home.