Ernest J. Williams, a former Baltimore police officer who later became a computer technician, died Sept. 30 of congestive heart failure at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. He was 79.

The son of Roger Carter, owner of Carter Express Co., and Mary Elizabeth Williams Mundell, a housekeeper, Ernest Jerome Williams was born in Baltimore.

He was raised on Northeast Avenue in Halethorpe, where he lived the rest of his life.

Mr. Williams attended the Banneker School in Catonsville and later served in the Air Force and Army.

In 1963, he joined the Baltimore Police Department and was assigned as a foot patrolman in the Southwestern District. He later joined what was then known as the K-9 Corps.

James Kelly, a Baltimore police lieutenant and a longtime friend, said he believes Mr. Williams was the first African-American to be a member of the department's K-9 Corps.

Mr. Williams later returned to the Southwestern District and worked there until leaving the force in 1967, when he joined Radio Corporation of America as a computer technician.

He was later promoted to a manager and retired in 1987 from General Electric, which had purchased RCA.

He later earned a real estate license and worked with his wife of more than 30 years, Frances.

Mr. Williams enjoyed listening to jazz, boating, fishing and collecting Lionel trains.

He was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla I-9 and the Neptune Yacht Club.

His favorite fishing destinations, family members said, were Alaska and Mexico. He also enjoyed spending winters in Florida.

A memorial service will be held a 2 p.m. Saturday at the Eubie Blake National Jazz and Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St., Baltimore.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Williams I survived by his daughter, Brigitte Williams Genovese of Severna Park; a stepdaughter, Francine Thomas of Pikesville; three brothers, Asbury Mundell of Canton, Larry Mundell of Pasadena and Wayne Mundell, all of Baltimore; three sisters, Ireland Hawkins, Desiree Collins and Debra Reyes, all of Halethorpe; and two grandsons.

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— Frederick N. Rasmussen