• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

Police Say Ex-Husband Set Fire That Killed Gay Utah Restaurateur, LGBT Rights Pioneer

John Wright May 23, 2016 Leave a Comment

Williams

Salt Lake City restaurateur and LGBT rights pioneer John Williams (above) died in a house fire early Sunday, and police believe his ex-husband set the blaze.

Williams, 72, who played a major role in establishing the city's downtown dining scene, was found dead in his Capitol Hill home by firefighters who responded to a 911 call from neighbors shortly after 1 a.m.

Police later arrested 47-year-old Craig Crawford (right) on suspicion of aggravated murder and aggravated arson in connection with Williams' death.

Screen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.34.39 AMAfter filing for a divorce on May 4, Williams twice sought restraining orders against Crawford, but was denied, KSL.com reports. Crawford still lived with Williams and was seen walking toward the house while it was engulfed in flames, but didn't report the fire to authorities. Williams could be heard screaming from an upper floor of the home but could not be revived by the time firefighters reached him.

Williams was a retired partner in Gastronomy Inc., which owns Market Street Grill, Market Street Oyster Bar and the New Yorker restaurant. Openly gay state Sen. Jim Dabakis, who was good friends with Williams, called his death “devastating.”

“The restaurants he and his partners opened raised the standards of dining for Utah, and the quiet bridges John built between the emerging LGBT community and the Utah business world made this a better place for all of us to live,” Dabakis said.

Scot Beck, president and CEO of Visit Salt Lake, told Good4Utah.com: “I don't think we would have the restaurant culture we have today if it wasn't for John Williams. His original vision to open up the New Yorker with his then friend Tom really started this entire thing that we have today. Just the people he's trained, the chefs that have come through Gastronomy, the restaurant managers he's trained. We would not have this incredible restaurant culture if it was not for John Williams and his vision.”

Watch reports on Williams' death below.

Topics: Business, LGBT Rights More Posts About: arson, Craig Crawford, crime, Gay Rights, John Williams, LGBT Rights, Murder, Salt Lake City, Utah

Related Posts
  • US LGBTQ club shooting suspect pleads guilty
  • Five Memphis officers plead not guilty to murdering Tyre Nichols
  • LGBTQ club shooting suspect in US charged with 305 counts
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Gay Student Secretly Took His Boyfriend to Prom Behind Backs of Homophobic Parents
Next Post: Celine Dion Made Everyone an Emotional Mess in Powerful, Heartbreaking BBMA Appearance: WATCH »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • Honest Trailer: Mission Impossible
    Open thread below... read more
  • 'I Feel Great': Fox News Anti-Biden Panel Derailed By Dem's Cancer Reveal
    Democratic strategist Lucy Caldwell undermined a Fox News panel criticizing former […]
  • Ukraine President Bashes Trump After Russian Attack: 'Silence Of America'
    Last night Russia unleashed a severe drone and missile attack on […]
  • Monday News Round-Up: Ian McKellen; Jussie Smollett; Sarah McBride; Lauren Scruggs & more!
    Birthday boy Ian McKellen wows audience with a surprise performance at […]
  • WATCH: Cynthia Nixon guests on co-star Kristin Davis’ “Are You A Charlotte?” podcast
    Cynthia Nixon joins Kristin Davis last week for a conversation filled […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×