Williams, Claudine B.

Businesswoman and philanthropist Claudine Barbara Williams rose to prominence in Las Vegas, Nevada through hard work and dedication to the city she loved. Born on March 17, 1921 in Mansfield, Louisiana, she was raised by her mother and grandmother. When she was 15, the family moved to Dallas, Texas where Williams lied about her age to get a job in a casino nightclub operated by Benny Binion. Before she was 21, Williams bought a Houston steakhouse/casino, paid back a $5,000 dollar loan ahead of schedule, and used her profits to launch her business empire.

She began dating a man by the name of Shelby Williams in the late 1940s and they were married on February 19, 1950. The couple moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964 when they bought the Silver Slipper Casino on the Strip. In 1969 they sold it to Howard Hughes, using the proceeds to build the Holiday Casino across the street from Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino. When her husband died in 1977, Williams found herself the first woman casino president and general manager in Nevada gaming history. She stepped down as chairwoman of the resort in the late 1990s while retaining the title of Director of Community Relations. On September 24, 1992, Claudine Williams was the first woman inducted into the gaming Hall of Fame.