William J. Williams Sr., who owned Reds during Big Red Machine era, dies at age 93

Former Reds owner dies at age 93

CINCINNATI — One of the owners of the Cincinnati Reds from their Big Red Machine days has died.

William J. Williams Sr. died Sunday night at age 93. He was part of a small group that bought the team in 1966 and celebrated back-to-back World Series championships in 1975-76. His family sold controlling interest in team in 1985.

In 2006, sons W. Joseph Williams Jr. and Thomas L. Williams were part of a group that bought controlling interest in the Reds, along with Bob Castellini.

Williams also was a founding owner of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968 and retained a share of the NFL team until his death.