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Veteran federal prosecutor Nicks Williams died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack during a trial. He was 57.
Williams had been a prosecutor since 1996, handling everything from environmental disputes, violent crimes and illegal firearms cases to crimes committed in the national parks and on reservations. His funeral was Friday. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and three sons: Walker, Ross and Davis.
Here are excerpts from a tribute written by colleagues at the U.S. Attorney's Office:
"Never complaining, despite his burdensome caseload, rarely even asking for assistance, and only accepting help with the promise to repay at least twofold, Nicks went about his business as the district's trial dog cheerfully and diligently. One of Nick's favorite lines when asked whether he felt overwhelmed was, 'No, I'm just grateful to be here.' And, despite his numerous contributions to the Office's mission, he seemed to truly believe that he was simply repaying some long-ago repaid debt.
"No tribute to Nicks would be complete without at least a brief acknowledgment of his a tremendous sense of humor, more often than not at his own expense. He was the perennial master of ceremonies at office events, the toastmaster for office farewells, and the good-natured wit who alternated between 'stirring the pot' and poking fun at himself in e-mails as a means of helping prosecutors retain perspective.
"And, when it came to shouldering the work, no one was quicker to assist a colleague by covering a hearing or an entire week of hearings, usually with his standard line: 'Just get me the file, or some facts, or the name of the defendant if you got that.' No one in our office caused more laughter, or was better-liked. Nicks was an instant friend to all."
