Ted Williams' son dead of leukemia at age 35

BOSTON (Ticker) -- John Henry Williams, the son of late Hall of Famer Ted Williams who was at the center of a controversy over his father's remains, died Sunday morning.

WBZ Radio in Boston reported that the 35-year-old Williams died in California. The Boston Red Sox confirmed his passing with a statement.

"On behalf of all of us with the Boston Red Sox, we extend our condolences to the John Henry Williams family," Red Sox principal owner John W. Henry said. "Perhaps no person meant more to the history of the Boston Red Sox than did his father."

Williams, who had a very brief professional baseball career, was diagnosed with a form of leukemia last fall and had been undergoing chemotherapy.

"It is particularly sad that leukemia claimed his life, for his father was a pioneer in the development of the Jimmy Fund, which has made such remarkable progress in the fight against cancer," Henry said.

After Ted Williams died in July 2002, his body was taken to an Arizona lab specializing in cryonics at the insistence of his son. That set off a long legal battle from other family members who wanted the legendary baseball player cremated. The family settled the matter late last year.

"It was clear that his father's life and legacy were the focal point of John Henry Williams' life," Henry said.

John Henry Williams played in two games for a low minor league affiliate of the Red Sox in 2002. He later was cut by the Schaumberg Flyers of the independent Northern League.

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