In Memory

Dale Williams

COACH DALE'S OBITUARY

Coach Dale Williams, 79, of Waycross died Wednesday afternoon, March 6, 2019 at the Hospice House of Hospice Satilla after an extended illness.  He was born in Valdosta, Georgia to the late Andrew Clinton Williams and Allie Wilson Williams.  Raised in Valdosta, he played quarterback at Valdosta High School under legendary coach Wright Bazemore.  He quarterbacked Valdosta to twenty-six consecutive wins and back to back state championships his junior year in 1956 and senior year in 1957.  He was named all-state and all-American quarterback his senior year.  In all he earned thirteen letters at Valdosta High School in football, basketball, baseball and tennis.  He attended the University of Georgia on a football scholarship and played three years for the late Wallace Butts and one year for the late Johnny Griffith.  He was the back-up quarterback to his roommate Fran Tarkenton, and also played linebacker and safety.  He was awarded the outstanding defensive player in the 1961 Georgia-Florida game. 

Coach Williams began his head coaching career in Dodge County.  After two seasons, he moved to Baker High School in Columbus where he coached for six years.  Coach Williams always wanted his children to grow up in a town like Valdosta, just as he had done.  With that in mind in 1972, he began his long tenure with the Waycross Bulldogs.  Over his twenty-two seasons with the Bulldogs, he won six region championships, nine sub-region championships and two state championships in 1977 and 1981.  In 1994 he became head coach of Ware County High School.  He coached for two seasons before retiring after the 1995 season.  He was the first person to win a GHSA football state championship as a player and head coach.  He is the only person to ever hold the head coaching position for both Waycross High School and Ware County High School.  He is a 1989 inductee of the Waycross/Ware County Sports Hall of Fame and a 2011 inductee of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. 

After his retirement from coaching, he taught physical education at Waresboro Elementary School and for a brief stint, put his coaching hat back on and served as offensive coordinator for the Waycross Middle School Bulldogs.  When he wasn’t on the football field, Coach Williams loved to play golf and fish.  Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by four siblings, Tom Williams, Mary Williams, Martha Williams and Glen Williams. 

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Williams of Waycross, two children, Todd Williams (Jane) of Waycross, Traci Williams of Waycross, two grandchildren, Justin Williams (Ashley) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Jake Williams of Atlanta, one great grandchild, Macade Williams, one brother, Roger Williams of Thomasville, one sister, Eleanor Wilkerson of Thomasville, a special son, Steve Thornton (Chrissy) of Blackshear and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. 

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon at Miles-Odum Funeral Home from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.  A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Waycross Middle School Athletic Booster Club, P.O. Box 325, Waycross, Georgia 31502 or to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, Georgia 31501.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.



 
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03/09/19 02:29 PM #1    

Mike Stokes (1968)

Coach Williams was an outstanding Football Coach and even a better person. It was a joy and a privledge to have played for him. He was an offensive Genius.Rest in peace Coach your work on earth is done. Thanks for the memories.----------STOKES-----------1968-----------


03/10/19 03:19 PM #2    

Roy Cook (1968)

Loved coach Williams.  Diane and I went to the visitation service in Waycross, Ga.  The turnout was as if the mayor of the city died.  It was a pleasure to see Carolyn and Todd Williams.  He was loved by many.  All the people I spoke with while in line says what Mike Stokes said, "He was an offensive genious.  RIP coach.

Sunshine


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