Sam Williams Memorial

We are saddened by the passing of our beloved friend and colleague Sam Williams. Sam settled in Rockport in 1993 with his partner Bill Hildebrand after a distinguished career with the U.S. Federal Service, establishing and managing Arts Programs in Military Facilities around the world. They both quickly became involved in the cultural fabric of the community, taking on leadership roles in numerous organizations, including the Rockport Center for the Arts and the Port Aransas Art Center. Both were artists themselves — Sam, a weaver, and Bill, a potter. Sam initiated and created the colorful “flutter” for the Art Festival, sewing multi-colored streamers year after year to adorn the festival tents. They helped establish the Bountiful Bowl Pottery Festival and Clay Expo, the Texas State Kite Festival, the South Rockport Neighborhood Association and Zachary Taylor Park. Sam loved his garden and good food and threw great parties. After Bill passed in 2014, Sam worked tirelessly to honor his memory as a potter, teacher and steward of the arts. Sam was an early supporter of the Cultural Arts District, for which we are forever grateful. We are lucky to have known and loved Sam and will miss his vibrant flutter, but will always remember and honor his glorious example of volunteering to make his community more inclusive, creative and beautiful. He made Rockport a better place. Photo credits: (Sam and Bill by Pam Fulcher)