Served as Secretary of State: Nov. 22, 1948 – Jan. 3, 1949
Born: Oct. 10, 1896, Hatchechubbee, Russell County, Alabama
Died: June 8, 1969, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Ariz.
Buried: June 11, 1969, Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Ariz.
Williams was appointed secretary of state in November of 1948 to fill the unexpired term of Sec. Dan E. Garvey who became governor.
The 18th Arizona State Legislature, 7th Special Session (Sept. 13, 1948 – Oct. 14, 1948) passed House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 "A Concurrent Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Arizona Relating to Gubernatorial Succession" which was referred to the voters on the Nov. 2, 1948, ballot. This passed and, on Nov. 22, 1948, "Gov. Garvey's first official act was appointment of his former assistant, Curtis M. Williams as secretary of state. Williams will now receive the salary of the office. Williams has been acting secretary since Garvey became acting governor. He will be succeeded as secretary of state on Jan. 3 by Wesley Bolin, justice of the peace in the west Phoenix precinct, who won the office on the Democratic ticket." ("Garvey Sworn in as Governor." Tucson Daily Citizen, Nov. 23, 1948, p. 1)