Former Mayor Thelda Williams, the only person to ever serve as the city’s top official on three separate occasions who served on the City Council for more than 20 years, died Tuesday night after a brief battle with cancer. She was 82.
We are saddened to hear about the passing of former Phoenix Mayor and Councilmember Thelda Williams. Mrs. Williams was a strong supporter of #PhoenixPD and had a legacy within our department through her husband and son. Thank you for your service. 💙#TheldaWilliams pic.twitter.com/R24FJoYQmu
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) November 15, 2023
“Thelda Williams’s service to our city has touched and improved the lives of everyone who lives here—from improving Sky Harbor International Airport to strengthening our transit system to making sure that we use our water wisely,” Mayor Kate Gallego said. “She cared deeply about Phoenix’s people and its future, and her legacy will endure far beyond our lifetimes. We mourn her loss, and her large City family extends our heartfelt condolences to her family who she treasured so much.”
The city will lower flags at its facilities in honor of Williams through Tuesday at sunset.
To honor Williams, the City Council recently voted to name the new transit center at Metrocenter after her. In 2019, the city, along with the Downtown Phoenix Partnership and PetSmart Charities, built the “Thelda Williams Paw-Pup Dog Park,” downtown Phoenix’s first dog park. Williams was a devout animal lover and spearheaded multiple City policies to protect dogs.
“Thelda Williams was a dear friend and colleague,” Councilwoman Debra Stark, who served with Williams, said. “I am deeply saddened about her passing, as she impacted so many lives, as well as my own. She was an ally on the Council, but also a force to be reckoned with. I take solace in knowing she lived a full and accomplished life. We owe a debt of gratitude to Thelda for her many years of public service and contributions to the City of Phoenix. Thelda will be so missed.”
“Thelda Williams leaves behind a legacy for all of Phoenix that cannot be outshined,” Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, who succeeded Williams on the City Council, said. “She was a role model, a mentor, a Jeopardy question, the only person to have served as the mayor three separate times, and a friend. She will be deeply missed and leaves behind a pair of shoes that will be impossible to fill. District 1 and all of Phoenix saw exponential growth under Thelda’s leadership. We would not be where we are today as a city if it weren’t for Thelda’s service.”
Williams first began serving on the City Council in 1989, and unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 1995. After departing the Council, she ran again in 2007 and served through 2021 after her third consecutive term expired. After the resignations of Mayors Paul Johnson, Terry Goddard and Greg Stanton, who each ran for a different office, she was selected by her City Council colleagues to serve as interim mayor.
Williams also served as the City’s vice mayor, chair of the City Council’s Transportation Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee, and as chair of the Valley Metro Rail board.
Williams is survived by her son Murry and daughter Cyndi, as well as three grandsons: Matt Smith, a Phoenix police officer, and Ben and John Williams. She is preceded in death by her husband, Mel, a former Phoenix police officer, and her daughter Chris.