Terry Williams, 65, of Waco, passed away November 17, 2023, after a courageous battle with a rare cancer at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple, TX.
Visitation: 10am to 11am Saturday, November 25th at Lake Shore Funeral Home, Waco, TX
Celebration of Life: 11am Saturday, November 25th at Lake Shore Funeral Home, Waco, TX with Pastor Chad McAninch officiating.
Interment: 3:30pm Saturday, November 25th at Holland Cemetery, Holland, TX
Coach Williams requested that everyone wear your best Dallas Cowboys clothing.
Terry was born on July 6, 1958, in Temple, TX, to Zelda Reese Williams and I. C. Williams, Jr. (June), along with his twin brother Gerry. He graduated from Temple High School and East Texas State University in Commerce. Coach Williams spent the next 30 years coaching and teaching at Connally Middle School in Waco. After his retirement, he continued coaching at Riesel ISD. Through his hilarious personality and devotion to his players and sports, Terry impacted lives teaching good values, leadership, and character to generations of student athletes.
Are you wondering who Terry’s favorite sports teams were? If you knew him, you really don’t have to ask. He was obviously a huge Connally Cadet and Riesel Indian. He was also a lifelong Temple Wildcat fan. And after 40 plus years in Waco, he was an avid Baylor Bear. But beyond a doubt, he provided his strongest support for the Dallas Cowboys. He was a die-hard fan who never missed a game and never gave up on dem Cowboys. Right now, Terry is hoping and helping Dak and the boys make it all the way to the Super Bowl this season.
Terry also followed in his father’s footsteps and became a great bowler. He grew up bowling in Temple, continued bowling in college, and bowled the rest of his life in Waco. He bowled several 300 games and 800 series. He was very proud to have been elected to the Greater Waco United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 2018.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
He is survived by his children, Whitney Williams of Gatesville and Jordan Williams of College Station; and his grandchildren, Holton, Felicity, Cayden, and Coulter. He loved and supported his children and grandchildren beyond all else.
Terry is also survived by his three siblings who adored him, Kathy Greco (Leonard) of Temple, Gerry Williams of Austin, and Lisa Hillin of Academy; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind many great friends, including, Laura Briscoe (Butch) and family, Chris Hays (Katie), bowling buddies, and coaches that he worked with over the years.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.
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This seriously breaks my heart ! He the the most sweetest man and Connally was blessed to have him as a coach and teacher! Every time I’d get in trouble he would always tell me “Gerik you’re better than that “ with a little smile in his face even after years gone by when I would run into him he would always ask “ how’s my favorite trouble maker “ he never forgot anymore he taught or coached he will truly be missed
Prayers for comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Coach was an awesome person. I really admired and respected him . He impacted so many lives with his mentoring, coaching and friendship. As a parent of kids who attended Connally, I was saw firsthand how great of a person Coach was to all the students and athletes. God Blessed us in knowing Coach Williams and having him in our lives. He is gone but will never be forgotten. DC4L
Well, Terry, I wanted to be the first to leave a memory, but then when I began, it was too, too difficult, so I had to re-tread, so to speak. May the Lord Jesus hold all of your family tightly in His arms. I will never forget Terry. We used to “wax long and deeply” about various world and local issues. Terry was a great friend to me. When I needed help, I could depend on Terry to be honest and forthright but very caring. Rest now, with the Angels, Terry Williams. I will always remember you with love. Cyndi Snokhous
This one hurts…Coach Williams was always stern but caring in a way that no one else could’ve been. He coached when I was in Jr High as well as both of my boys. He was highly respected and admired and never forgot ANY of his students past or present. He will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences go out to his family. ❤️ Rest Easy Coach ❤️
As a coaching peer of Coach Williams, I can say I rarely witnessed anything like him in the profession. His balance of working kids hard and building strong character, was unmatched by almost anyone. I admired how he did his job and embracing the amazing skill set he had to positively influence JH kids. I learned so many positive coaching attributes from him. That’s who Coach Williams was…the coach and man you wanted to be like. The positive ripple effect he had on so so many students, will go on for generations.
Terry was a tremendous teacher and human being . He was loved by everyone and leaves a void in this world. Terry had a great sense of humor and a quick, dry wit. Each year, he took a poll of faculty members to see who was attending the first seventh grade football game, and told us it might be something we’d rather not see. He was given fudge making lessons by Mrs. Brooks, but always prefer that she make it. So much love to Laura and Butch Briscoe, Got sent friends who enriched his life and took care of Terry during his final weeks. Blessing on Terry’s two children for peace in knowing what a great person your dad was. Watch over those of us remaining, Terry, and keep us headed towards our own goal line.
Sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. He was always a good kid growing up and I especially enjoyed the holidays we spent together. Prayers going up for his family.
Coach Williams,
You will be missed. Your spirit and calmness under stressful game situations is what I admired and remember most. May you rest in peace.
To his family and friends,
I offer you my sincere condolences 💐 and sympathy during this difficult time.
Chris Campbell
‘93 Cadet
Prayers for comfort and peace during
the weeks, and months ahead. RIP, Terry.
To Terry William’s Family,
I knew Terry and Gerry’s parents through my parents, I then got to meet and come to know both of the boys when they were students of my husband, Joe, at THS. He often spoke of what great young men they were and I soon agreed with him. I had the privilege of accompanying the twins and one other of Joe’s students home from contest in Dallas, Texas one year. He really trusted you guys or he wouldn’t have sent me home with you late at night, so that you guys could make a bowling tournament the next day.
May you siblings and nieces and nephews, know what a great guy Terry was. I pray that you all are given the strength to go on without him here on Earth.
Jordan- I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad. My condolences, thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
I worked with Terry at CJH. He was a great person and friend. Prayers for his family. He will be greatly missed. Fly high Coach Williams.
Coach Williams,
This still doesn’t seem real. You had such an impact on so many lives, including my own. You believed in me before I believed in myself. You will be missed by so many but never forgotten. I can’t wait to see you again. Rest easy Coach.
Prayers to Whitney, Jordan, and the rest of his family and friends.
RIP Coach Williams. You were a wonderful teacher in my Jr. High years, and also hilarious. May you rest in peace, and prayers are going up for your family and friends–
Keri Burton Jones–’87 Cadet
Coach Williams was one of the best educators in the field. He was firm but patient. Like him, i’m a lifelong cowboys fan. He taught me that a true fan never gives up on anything that is truly important to them. This lesson not only taught me how to be a true sports fan, but was a valuable lesson in life as well. Rest In Peace, you’ll be missed
Thanks coach Williams for pushing me thru in not only jr high and high school in sports but on the lanes also to always give it all i had and to leave it all on the field, the court, track, or the lanes… the bowling alley will forever have an empty spot for me especially during tournament time (about the only time I’m out there these days) but rest easy coach William’s thankn you and you will forever be missed….