Dr. Anthony Williams

Dr. Anthony Williams, class of 1966, excelled at sports when he went to San Diego High School. “Tank” played defensive guard on the football team where he was a two-year letterman. He lettered in junior varsity baseball and football, played basketball and ran track. He belonged to the Letterman’s Club, the Senior Club, and played saxophone in the band and pep band.

Anthony attended San Diego City College, and received a football scholarship to San Francisco State University. He completed his B.A. and received his lifetime teaching credential from San Diego State University. He taught for more than 29 years in the Grossmont School District and was the first African American head football coach at San Diego City College.

A saxophone player from the age of nine, Anthony began working in the music department of the Apostolic Faith Temple Church. He became associate minister and ordained deacon, and was the Southeast District Youth President before he received his Doctor of Divinity in 1998.

In 1993, Anthony founded the Truth Apostolic Community Church (TACC). Today that church operates vital community outreach programs: The Share Program (food supplement program); Bright DAZE (addiction recovery program); and the Tutorial Program. Four new churches have started under the TACC umbrella.

As a teen-ager, Anthony played in the band “Arleen and the Pro Teens” with his brother and sister. At the professional level, he accompanied James Brown, Jackie Wilson and many other top flight performers. He met the love of his life, Betty Williams, when he was in the band “Peaceful People.” Betty and Anthony married in 1972 and raised six sons.

Anthony Williams was a community leader who saw what needs existed and then created programs to meet those needs. His leadership extended to mentoring others to work alongside him and to continue the work he loved. Anthony died in 2004.