Lew Williams, former Toledo newspaperman, poet and author of several books on juvenile work died today at home, Suder Ave. and Benore Rd., after a long illness he was 72. Known as the Buckeye Poet, Mr. Williams wrote several volumes of verse, including "Fifty Years Ago," "Homespun," "Nuggets" and "Down the road." For years, his verse appeared in the old Toledo News-Bee. His text book, "Junior Journalism," was published by the International Boys Club Press Association of which he was president, and for years was used in Journalism classes of Boys Clubs in the United States and Canada. Mr. Williams was born in Green Bay, Wis., and reared in New Your City, but spent most of his life in Toledo. He spent 10 years in social service work as superintendent of the Boys Detention Home in New York and of the Allen County Vocational School for Boys in Fort Wayne, Ind., and as director of the Toledo Newsboys Association. He was a member of the advisory board of the Lucas County Juvenile Court under the late Judge O'Brien O'Donnell. He spent a number of years Toledo in newspaper writing, as a feature writer for the News Bee business editor of the Toledo Times managing editor of the West Toledo Standard and editor of small fraternal and other newspapers. A lecturer as well as a writer, he was engaged in speaking and entertainment programs before schools, churches, lodges and clubs for more than 40 years. During one engagement in Washington D.C., he and Mrs. Williams were guests of President Harding in the White House. He also spent nine years on the dramatic stage and a number of years in radio work. For years he was Santa Claus in Toledo Downtown department stores and his radio Santa Claus was a Christmas feature for more than a decade. Mr. Williams was a 32nd degree mason and a member of the knights Templar and the Odd fellows. He and his wife, Sophia observed their 50th wedding anniversary in April 1947. Also surviving are a son John E. Foster daughter, Mrs. Frank McCready; two grandchildren and seven foster grandchildren. The body is in the Abele Funeral Home