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Don Williams

1947 – 1989

American racing driver

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About Don Williams

Lived 1947 – 1989 (aged 42). Don Williams was an American engineer.

Gordon Lee "Don" Williams, Jr. (May 14, 1947 – May 21, 1989) was an American stock car driver born in Madison, Florida. He competed in the Sportsman 300 race at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 1979, a Late Model Sportsman Division (now O'Reilly Auto Parts Series) race sanctioned by NASCAR. Williams was injured in a fiery multiple-car crash, and lived in a semicomatose state for ten years before his death.

Crash Williams was competing in the Late Model Sportsman race, the Permatex 300, at Daytona on February 17, 1979. The crash began when a car driven by Freddie Smith went into a spin and was struck by a car driven by Joe Frasson, which then burst into flames as he hit the wall. Frasson was then struck at full speed by Delma Cowart. Williams was behind Cowart and tried to avoid the pileup. His No. 68 Chevrolet Chevelle crashed into the wall and spun onto the infield amid a shower of flying debris. Williams suffered head and chest injuries as well as a fractured right arm and an aneurysm in the right eye.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality

People in Don Williams's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Don Williams's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Don Williams?

American racing driver (1947-1989)

When was Don Williams born?

Don Williams was born on 14 May 1947 in Madison.

When did Don Williams die?

Don Williams died on 21 May 1989 in Perry.

What was Don Williams's occupation?

Don Williams was an engineer.

What nationality was Don Williams?

Don Williams was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Don Williams

· Wikidata: Q5293733

· DBpedia: Don Williams (racing driver)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Don Williams. https://biography.guide/don-williams-engineer/

MLA: "Don Williams." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/don-williams-engineer/.

Chicago: "Don Williams." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/don-williams-engineer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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