The legendary Friday the 13th tattoo marathon at Elm Street Tattoo in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood went on as planned this year, a testament to resilience and tradition just weeks after the passing of its beloved co-owner, Dean Williams.
For decades, the Elm Street Tattoo Friday the 13th event has been a cultural phenomenon, drawing massive crowds eager to get the iconic “13” flash tattoos. This tradition extends far beyond Dallas, inspiring similar events at tattoo shops nationwide. This year’s event, however, carried a poignant undercurrent as the Elm Street Tattoo family moved forward without Williams, who co-founded the renowned shop with Oliver Peck in 1996. Williams, a respected figure in Deep Ellum and a father, passed away at the age of 50 following a heart attack in late July.
“He was definitely a Deep Ellum icon,” Peck shared during the marathon, pausing between tattooing sessions. “Anyone doing business in Deep Ellum for the last 30 years knew Dean Williams.” Peck’s words underscored the deep personal loss, adding, “He was more like family than a friend.” Their partnership began organically, tattooing friends as a hobby before establishing Elm Street Tattoo, all while balancing their passion for skateboarding.
Peck emphasized that Williams’ enduring legacy lies in the positive atmosphere he cultivated within the shop and in his interactions. This spirit, Peck noted, was the driving force behind Elm Street Tattoo’s annual holiday toy drive for underprivileged children and their venture into healthy eating with the opening of the vegan restaurant Tiki Loco in Deep Ellum in 2018. “We’ve been together for 25 years,” Peck reflected. “It makes you cherish every moment because you never know what tomorrow brings.”
The outpouring of support for Williams was evident at a memorial held on August 8th at Trees, a nearby concert venue. Friends from across the country gathered to celebrate his life and share memories. Peck wasn’t surprised by the turnout, seeing it as a reflection of Williams’ profound impact on the tattoo community and beyond. “A lot of people knew who he was and will never forget him,” Peck stated, hoping that even more people would come to know Williams’ story and legacy.
Elm Street Tattoo continues to be a cornerstone of the Dallas tattoo scene, a place where tradition meets artistry, and where the spirit of Dean Williams will undoubtedly live on, inked into the very fabric of the shop and the hearts of those who knew him.
