Charlie “Coach” Williams
Tue, 2014-03-04 19:08
News Staff
Coach Charlie Williams, beloved husband, father and coach, passed away Sunday, February 23rd, 2014 in Longview after a lengthy illness. He was born December 29, 1930 in Refugio, TX and graduated from Refugio HS in 1948 where he was a foursport letterman. He played college football and was a pole vaulter at Hardin Simmons University. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. An early dream came true when he received a contract to play pro football for the Los Angeles Rams in 1953. Two months later he tore his ACL while playing for Scott Air Force Base, ending his dreams of playing professionally, but redirecting him down a path to become one of the most beloved and successful coaches in the state of Texas. He received his BS and Masters in Educational Administration at Southwest Texas State University. He began his coaching career at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo in 1959. Named head coach in 1962, he began a 24-year career in teaching life lessons through football. Continually motivating athletes to believe in themselves, he compiled an overall record of 188-57-12 at PSJA, Alice, McAllen and Harlingen. His teams’ accomplishments included two state finalists, 1 regional finalist, three bi-district championships, and 12 district championships. Professional awards include Corpus Christi Caller South Texas Coach of the Year, Coastal Bend Coaches’ Association Hall of Honor, inaugural inductee into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 1988, Texas High School Coaches’ Hall of Honor in 1994, and being named Coach of the Century by the Rio Grande Valley Sports Writers in 2008. Coach Williams was preceded in death by his parents, IC “Buck” and Linnette William; brother, Bill Williams; and son, Robby. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 63 years Joy McDougall Williams of Longview; son and daughter-in-law Randy and Karen Williams of Longview; daughter and son-in-law Ronnye and Chip Cowell of Houston; grandchildren Alison, Valerie and Ryan Williams; step grandchildren Betsy, Robby and Thomas Cowell; brother and sisters in law Kent McDougall, June Brandenburger, and Patsy Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews throughout Texas. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1st at First Lutheran Church of Longview followed by a celebration reception for friends and family. Burial was Sunday, March 2nd at 2 p.m. in the family plot at Gooch Cemetery in Mason, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Coaches’ Outreach Ministries, 1720 Regal Row, Suite 152, Dallas TX 75235, or online at coachesoutreach.com.