the state Attorney General issued a ruling declaring the drive for a recall unsuccessful. The ruling was challenged, but it was not until 1976 that a federal judge ruled the Arizona Secretary of State's office had improperly rejected a number of signatures. Among his other activities during his third term, Williams lobbied against daylight saving time in Arizona, informing the U.S. Congress that with the state's climate it would exchange a low-energy usage morning hour with a high-energy usage evening hour. Williams chose not to seek reelection in 1974. Stress of dealing with the recall effort was partially responsible for his decision. As part of his announcement not to run, Williams stated "I have served longer consecutively than other governors in Arizona's history, and during some extremely trying times." Upon leaving the governor's office, Williams left a 53-page report on his time in office entitled Facts about Governor Williams and his Administration. No previous administration had produced such a report but the Arizona Republic editorialized "If they had, the report on Williams would not suffer by comparison." After office With his departure from public office, the state media editorialized that Williams had performed his duties well, the Arizona Republic saying he could retire safe in the knowledge of a "job well done". An indication of his ability to nominate quality department heads came when his successor, Raul Castro, asked for many of Williams' appointees to remain at their posts. Williams himself, upon leaving office, took his wife on an extended trip to South America. With radio having transitioned to a music format, Williams was unable to return to his previous role as an announcer. He instead wrote his newspaper column, authored a book, engaged in public speaking, and traveled. From 1981 to 1994, Williams was a member of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District board. Williams' wife died in December 1997. The former governor's health soon after took a noticeable decline. Williams died in his home on August 24, 1998. He had cancer and other ailments at the time of his death. References Footnotes Bibliography American people of French descent Republican Party governors of Arizona Mayors of Phoenix, Arizona Arizona city council members American politicians with disabilities Radio personalities from Arizona Politicians from Los Angeles 1909 births 1998 deaths 20th-century American politicians