Herschel Williams Jr., a 40-year-old White male from Danville, Illinois, was murdered on March 25, 1963, in a case that would later be linked to serial killer Jesse Donald Sumner. Williams and Sumner were known associates involved in a series of robberies across Illinois, including heists at the Farmers State Bank in Heyworth and a credit union in Bloomington. Their partnership reportedly soured when Williams allegedly began threatening Sumner’s wife and children.
On the day of the murder, Williams visited Sumner’s barber shop in Danville, where the two argued over participating in another robbery. After the dispute, Williams requested a haircut. During the grooming session, Sumner slashed the 40-year-old White male’s throat with a razor, killing him.
Following the murder, Sumner attempted to conceal the crime. He placed the body of Herschel Williams Jr. into a 55-gallon barrel, encased it in concrete, and buried it in a landfill in Bloomington. The body remained undiscovered for over a year. Sumner was initially arrested and convicted for robbery and sentenced to a short prison term. However, on June 1, 1964, authorities located the barrel containing Williams’ remains. The body was identified through personal effects and physical characteristics, including a wallet recognized by Williams’ wife.
Sumner was charged with the murder of the 40-year-old White male and stood trial in Vermilion County. The prosecution presented compelling circumstantial evidence, including the purchase of the barrels and cement, testimony from fellow inmates who claimed Sumner confessed to the killing, and forensic findings. Despite denying involvement, Sumner was convicted and sentenced to 35 to 75 years in prison.
In 1969, Sumner’s conviction was overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and received a reduced sentence of 10 to 15 years. Due to good behavior, he was paroled after serving approximately six and a half years. Tragically, after his release, Sumner went on to commit additional murders, confirming his status as a serial killer. Herschel Williams Jr., the 40-year-old White male victim, was ultimately the first known casualty in Sumner’s violent criminal trajectory.
