Veteran actor Hal Williams, best known for playing Officer “Smitty” Smith on Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins on 227 passed away at the age of 91 on July 15, 2026. Following the news of his death, many fans have been searching for details about his wife, children, family life, and net worth. While Williams enjoyed a successful acting career spanning more than five decades, he kept much of his personal life away from the spotlight.
| Full Name | Halroy Candis Williams |
|---|---|
| Known As | Hal Williams |
| Date of Birth | December 14, 1934 |
| Place of Birth | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| Date of Death | July 15, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 91 |
| Profession | Actor |
| Best Known For | Sanford and Son, 227, Private Benjamin |
| Marital Status | Previously married (later divorced) |
| Children | Three children from his first marriage |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $1 million to $3 million (estimated) |
Who Was Hal Williams’ Wife?
Hal Williams was married twice.
His first publicly documented marriage was to Gay Anderson. The couple tied the knot in 1975, but the marriage was short-lived. They divorced in 1976, and neither Williams nor Anderson publicly discussed the reasons behind their separation. Anderson largely stayed out of the spotlight, and very little is known about her personal or professional life.
Williams later married Renee W. Himes in 1978. Their marriage lasted approximately six years before ending in divorce in 1984. Like Anderson, Renee W. Himes maintained a private lifestyle and rarely appeared in public alongside the actor. Williams also chose not to speak about their relationship in interviews, preferring to keep his personal affairs separate from his career.
After the divorce, he focused on raising his family while building a steady career in television and film. There is no public record indicating that he remarried.
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Did Hal Williams Have Children?
Yes. Hal Williams was the father of three children from his first marriage. Although he was a familiar face on television, he made a conscious effort to keep his children out of the public eye.
One of the greatest tragedies in his life was the death of his eldest son, Mark, who died at the age of 20. Williams later honored his son’s memory by supporting scholarship initiatives, reflecting the importance he placed on education and helping young people.
At the time of his passing, he was survived by his remaining children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
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Hal Williams’ Net Worth
Hal Williams’ estimated net worth was between $1 million and $3 million. Since he never publicly disclosed his finances, the exact figure remains unknown.
His wealth came primarily from a television career that lasted more than 50 years. He appeared in dozens of hit shows and films, including Sanford and Son, 227, Private Benjamin, The Waltons, Moesha, Magnum P.I., Guess Who, and many others. Even in his later years, he continued accepting television roles, adding to his long list of acting credits.
His Career
Williams did not begin acting until his 30s after working several regular jobs, including as a postal worker and corrections officer. His breakthrough came in the early 1970s when he landed the role of Officer “Smitty” Smith on Sanford and Son.
He later became even more recognizable as Lester Jenkins, the dependable husband of Mary Jenkins, played by Marla Gibbs, in the NBC sitcom 227. His calm screen presence and natural comedic timing made him one of television’s most respected character actors.
Throughout his career, Williams appeared in hundreds of television episodes and worked alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. His performances helped create positive portrayals of Black families and professionals during a time when such representation was still limited on American television.
Yes. Hal Williams had three children. One of his sons, Mark Williams, tragically died at the age of 20. He is survived by his other children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Hal Williams was best known for playing Officer “Smitty” Smith on Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins on the NBC sitcom 227. He also appeared in Private Benjamin, The Waltons, Magnum P.I., Moesha, and many other television shows and films.