The game of life on this earth came to an end for Donald “Don” Williams on December 29, 2024. He played as hard as he could throughout the game. The last quarter was especially challenging as he came against his opponent, Alzheimer. Along with being diabetic, it made winning this earthly game hard to achieve. “Coach”, as he was fondly called, enjoyed over forty years of coaching. He started coaching while a student at Lambuth College, coaching church league basketball and touch football.
Upon graduating from Lambuth, he went to Milan High School and then to Camden. From there, Don came to Jackson’s Tigrett Junior High, where he had many athletes who still recall the success they experienced. Next, Don was called to Jackson Central Merry, and soon thereafter, the ’79 team went on to lose in the state final by one point. In addition to coaching under the leadership of Coach Richard Ross, Don was at JCM with Coaches Long, Collins, and Bland as well. He worked hard to be the supporting coach for these men and enjoyed immensely the camaraderie he experienced with them and others, including Mike Bledsoe, Bobby Jelks, and Shorty B. Don’s last coaching assignment was at Northeast Junior High, a new school for which he guided the development of the program in football and tennis. He was assisted there by Roy Manuel.
In each school, in addition to coaching, Don taught American History and Physical Education. He knew his history as was attested by Lambuth College when he was awarded the Dean Eagle Award at graduation. Don was always very proud of this honor and he represented it well as he could recall history on family trips or in any conversation on history.
Swimming was also a big part of Donald’s life. He has taught many in the Jackson area to swim and to sharpen lifesaving skills through Red Cross courses that he taught. In addition, he and Jimmy Carmichael taught swimming together and ran the Sun and Swim pool in Jackson. This served as their summer work when school was out.
Donald was born in Memphis, TN to the late Solan and Alice Jeanette Williams. He had a twin brother, Ronald (Mary), who preceded him in death and a sister, Barbara (Jerry) who lives in Arkansas. Donald leaves his wife, Sandra; three children, Dane, DeAnna (Rod) and Eric; eight grandchildren, Zachary, Alexa, Hunter, Sophie, Noah, and Tyler Williams & Hannah and Kohl Vargas; and one great-grandchild, Lottie, with another on the way.
A believer in God who sent his son, Jesus, Donald was raised in the Methodist church then became a member of West Jackson Baptist Church. In 2000, Donald and Sandra made the decision to join their community church, Browns Church. There they have been blessed in many ways through the preaching of God’s Word and the wonderful fellowship of Christian believers.
Donald was a longtime member of the Browns Ruritan Club at Browns and then governor of the district. He especially enjoyed working at the stews, packing and sharing Christmas baskets and meeting monthly with friends.
In 2011, Donald was inducted into the Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame as he had experienced success, not only as a coach, but as a player during his high school days were a big part of his life. He talked fondly of classmates and events that they enjoyed together. To this day, they still gather and keep in touch. Donald loved and appreciated their friendship very much.
Services to honor his life will be held 1:00 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2024, in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors, with Dr. Steven Callicoat officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the service time. The burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers include: Charles Baldwin, Mike Bledsoe, Willie Chandler, Richard Foster, Kohl Vargas, and Hunter Williams.
In our memories, Coach Donald David Williams remains a champion—a testament to the true essence of winning at life. As we bid farewell to this dear soul, we celebrate the victory he has achieved in reaching his heavenly home, where the joys of eternal peace await him.
