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Derek Williams, longtime CBS News cameraman, remembered as "the mate you would want in any war zone"
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- Derek Williams, a longtime CBS News cameraman who covered major Asian events including the Vietnam War and Tiananmen Square massacre, has died at age 79 after battling Parkinson's disease and cancer.
- Williams spent 40 years reporting from Asia and also covered conflicts such as the first Iraq War and Beirut massacres, earning praise for his bravery, intuition, and mentorship.
- Colleagues like Susan Zirinsky and Dan Rather highlighted Williams's exceptional skill, humanity, and humor, with many recalling his dedication and impact on their careers.
- In 1989, Williams and correspondent Richard Roth were detained during the Tiananmen Square crackdown but were released unharmed; Williams also notably married his Vietnamese girlfriend amid Saigon's fall using poker winnings to secure the wedding.
- After retiring to California, Williams returned to New Zealand in his later years to be near family, leaving a legacy as a respected cameraman and cherished friend.
