"He was a good man. MHS was lucky to have him!"
In loving memory of
James M. Williams
February 9, 1930 - July 12, 2017
James M. "Coach" Williams, 87, of Middletown died Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at home in Middletown. Mr. Williams was born February 9, 1930, in the middle of a blizzard in the families Brinley Street home in Newport, RI. He is the son of the late Matthew J. and the late Ethel (Barker) Williams. He was married to the late Catherine M. Peckham for 58 years. Mr. Williams was the Athletic Director for the Middletown School Department and was a physical education teacher.After graduating from De La Salle, he joined the Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. After the Air Force, he attended Boston University, after graduating, he was hired with the Middletown School system as a Physical Education teacher, and started the basketball program. Before Middletown, he worked with handicap children in the Boston area. Throughout his career as a coach, his basketball teams won many championships, and division titles. During his tenure, he earned many coaching and athletic director awards. He was one of the first inductees in the Middletown Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2016, the High School Gymnasium was named in his honor. In addition, he also coached Little League, and coached the High school baseball team for one season, winning the division. He was also inducted into the Rhode Island Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Rhode Island Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid New England Sports fan, and he loved to fish. He was an avid gardener for many years, and in his retirement, worked for a few Newport Estates. One year he won an award for his green thumb. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was cherished by all his students, and all whom he came in contact with. He was an "old school" teacher. He loved all the kids he taught and made impacts on too many lives to count. He was a very spiritual person, and loved the old Latin Mass, which he attended weekly, his faith was a very important part of his life. He is survived by his children: James M. Williams, Jr (Rachel), Susan Berti (Mark) of New York City, Daniel J. Williams of Middletown, RI and Scott H.R. Williams (Lucia) of Newport, RI. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alyse, Karley, Nicholas, Mackenzie, Daniel, Sydney, Quincy, Luisa and Matthew, and his great grandchildren, Alexander, Shane, Adrianna and Samuel, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his 2 sisters-in-law, Elaine Bock and Elizabeth LaFebvre and He is preceded in death by his wife Catherine, and his brother, Robert Williams, and his sister Margaret Richard.Jim's family would like to especially thank his loving care givers, who helped throughout his illness. Calling hours will be held on Sunday July 16, 2017 from 3-8 pm in Hambly Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Avenue in Newport.His funeral will be held on Monday July 17, 2017 at 9 am from the funeral home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Joseph's Church, Mann Avenue and Broadway.Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery, Brown's Lane in Middletown. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Middletown Athletic Boosters 130 Valley Road, Middletown, RI 02842. http://www.newportri.com/newportdailynews/sports/he-was-the-perfect-gentleman/article_f22b9204-1734-53a0-a0df-d8cccf983318.html?utm_medium=socialutm_source=emailutm_campaign=user-share Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation JUL 16. 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM Hambly Funeral Home 30 Red Cross Ave Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.hamblyfuneralhome.com Mass JUL 17. 10:00 AM St Josephs Church 5 Mann Ave Newport, RI, US, 02840-4700
Tributes
"What a wonderful man he was! Mr. Williams was my father's best man back in the 50s, and he got a kick out of the fact that he is in the background of my parents' wedding picture which hangs in my house today. Whenever I saw him around town I would tell him who I was and the memories he shared with my parents, George and Kathleen (Carr) Tompsett, would begin to flow. He and my dad shared a lot, from the Air Force to basketball, but we lost my father when he was only 49 so the memories Mr. Williams shared with me were priceless. He never failed to bring my parents to life once again, and I always left his presence with a smile on my face. Kudos to Middletown High School for naming the gym after him while he was still here to see how much of an impact he made on this community. We lost a good one, may his memory live on forever!Sincerely,Trisha Lentz"
"Thanks for the lovely note. We have found some great pictures of them and old things from the neighborhood. You can call Jimmy at 401-846-4392 Much love, Susan"
"Thank you so much, Susan, I will call him!!XOXO"
"May I extend my condolences to the Williams' family. "Coach" Williams was a man whose influence extended well beyond the athletic community, to all who ever met or had the privilege of speaking with him. His presence will be deeply missed. Alan Perry, class of '65."
"My condolences to Coach's family. I had the pleasure and privilege to play for him for a number of years, including on a state championship team. His coaching philosophy was simple but held life lessons: Be where you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be there; do a few things very well and you'll be ok; and a well-prepared and smart team can beat a team with more talent and other advantages. Success was never about him but about the boys and wanting them to win and have fun in the process. In later years I learned that he was an avid reader and quite a fine writer as well. I was not as fortunate as my father, Mickey, in being his nearly lifelong friend, but I was lucky enough to have enjoyed his friendship (and his incredible memory!) for many years. A gentleman and a legend who will be missed.Mike Hussey"
"Thank you Mike! That team was '76....probably the biggest upset and celebratory game and year. I used that example in the eulogy. Awesome times. My siblings and I were lucky to be born into this family and experience all the lifelong memories he and my mother created that we can pass on to other generations. Jim , Jr."
"I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Williams was an awesome man. Always a kind word, happy to support students, and just a great person. I learned so much from him & Jim when I was asked to be the statistcian for the boy's teams in 1981-82. My prayers are with you all. Blessed Be, Liz Kesson"
"Mike Hayes lit a candle in memory of James M. Williams"
"Mr. Williams was old school but new school too. When I was playing at MHS, after he had retired, he helped me with off season workouts involving weight lifting, at a time when no one weight trained for basketball. He was ahead of his time. Recently, as basketball coach at MHS, I've spoken to him about a variety of basketball topics and he always had words of wisdom for me. Mr. Williams IS MHS basketball!"
"Mr. Williams was not just a great coach, but overall a really nice man and someone we should all strive to be like. To Susie, Jim and the family, very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace."
"Jim Williams was much more than just a coach. He was a mentor , a teacher, a coach and most importantly an educator. Jim was a role model for present and future coaches throughout the state. He impacted every life he touched for the better. He will be widely missed."
"1 file added to the album New Album Name"
"Dear Jim and familySo sorry for your loss. The DelRoss family."
"To All of the Williams' "Coaches'" FamilyI had the honor of meeting and spending countless hours with your father when was in the middle of my coaching career. I spent many night picking his brain and learning so much from him. He helped shape me as a coach, but also as a person. We became close enough over the years where he came to one of my varsity practices and worked out my kids. I can still see him coaching that day..He also gave me all of his coaching books and information he gather over the years which I still have and will always cherish.Susan, Jim and Dan, I am so so sorry and wish you only the best!Coach..Thank you and I will miss you!Phil Quinn"
"Susie Jimmy and Danny,So sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I got to know him much better over the last 15 years and he always loved to hear about our company's crazy building projects. He was such a good teacher and coach, but he was also a super great listener, and a true friend to so many. May he rest in peace and be dancing with your mom. With love and prayers, Tim"
"I met Mr. Williams while he was shopping in my fathers drug store in the '70s. He was the perfect gentleman and pleasant to talk to. Back then I distinctly remember me calling him "Coach"! He will be missed!"