williamsth2Thompson Williams (above left) grew up in Oklahoma as one of eight children. His father, Melford Williams (pictured at left with Thompson), was a tribal leader of the Caddo Nation and a World War II veteran who had a big impact on Thompson’s life.

At StoryCorps, Thompson’s son, Kiamichi-tet (above right), sat down with his dad to learn more about his grandfather.

Thompson also told his son about his father’s death from a heart attack in 1978.

Originally aired June 6, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Photo courtesy of Thompson Williams.