Maxville Burt Williams, the author of First For Freedom and Strange Wind From the Roanoke, died Sunday night at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

A scene from First for Freedom was performed July 4.

First for Freedom is one of the longest running outdoor dramas in the state and documents events leading to the signing of the Halifax Resolves.

In an amazon.com review of Strange Wind from the Roanoke, the book is described as a skillfully designed novel and is an analogy of post Revolutionary War years in North Carolina and Sam Pickett, a fictional citizen of Halifax, North Carolina. “The observant reader becomes aware of the technique used by Mr. Williams that makes this a really meaningful novel. Sam Pickett is the epitome of the people in the state of North Carolina; whereas, Josie represents those whose lives are complicated by many opposing factors. Mr. William R. Davie represents the nation and its advantages for all who will accept it.”

“It’s extremely sad for me,” said Jim Singleton, who for the past two years has been director of First for Freedom. “He absolutely knew everything about history and everything about that time period. It was just second knowledge to him.”

Williams was instrumental in putting the play together, Singleton said and preserving that history. “He made history live.”

Singleton and Williams became close since meeting three years ago. While they would sometimes disagree on how the played should be produced, they always resolved their differences amicably. “We immediately bonded in our passion for that story. I understood the dramatics and he understood the history.”

Ginny Orvedahl, director of the Halifax County library system, said Williams will always be remembered. His biggest contribution, she said, was, “To promote the history of Halifax County. That history will be remembered for a long time. Everyone owes him for sharing his gift and his love for Halifax County.”

Williams, according to one biography, was born in Sharpsburg and lived in Enfield.

He graduated from Enfield High School and attended East Carolina University. While at the university, he became interested in writing and had one play produced by the East Carolina Playhouse and another published by the university.

After graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in history and a minor in English, he became a social studies teacher at Scotland Neck. He later completed his masters degree and became the principal of an elementary school in Hobgood.

Williams watches the Fourth of July performance.

Williams' first novel, First for Freedom was originally written as a three-act play. The play was sponsored by the Halifax Historical Association and is presented each summer as an outdoor drama in Halifax. He also wrote the words and music for the drama.

Chuck Hasty, a lieutenant with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, had Williams for his world history instructor at Hobgood Academy. “He was always a good teacher. He made it fun.”