Coach Sam Williams is being inducted into the prestigious Decatur County Sports Hall of Fame. Williams, along with three other influential Bainbridge sports figures will be inducted on Saturday, Mar. 4, at the Kirbo Center.

Williams served in the United States Navy during World War II. When he got out of his service, he went back to Columbia, Alabama, and took the reins as head football coach for Houston County High School in 1952. He found success there within two years, leading his team to 9-1 by the 1954 season.

While there he was studying at Troy State Teacher’s College. He finished there with a degree in education in 1955 and moved to Bainbridge to teach mathematics and stayed for 15 years. From the beginning of his time in Bainbridge, he coached the girl’s basketball team, the baseball team, the golf team and the football team in one form or another. He was an assistant under Bainbridge coach Spencer “Onion” Davis before becoming the main guy himself in 1966.

After his three-year run as Bainbridge head coach. He moved up to Spartanburg, South Carolina, to become the head baseball coach. He remained head baseball coach from 1970-1972, winning the state championship in 1971. He also led the JV football team to three straight undefeated seasons from 1970-1972.

After that, Williams then moved back to Georgia to become the head football coach at Early County in Blakely. He arrived at Early County in 1979, and took his team to the state semi-finals in 1980. He was also the Dean of Students while there.

He made his final coaching stop in Ashford, Alabama. He was the head coach of Ashford High School’s football team from 1983-1984. He led that team to a region football championship in 1984.

He retired from coaching to become a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Columbia.

He was also a member of the Lions Club there, and was elected to the city council. Coach Williams was fondly remembered by all of his players when he passed on Sept. 21, 2011, and through the Decatur County Sports Hall of Fame, his legacy will not be forgotten.

Pick up the Wednesday, Mar. 1, issue to read about Terralyn Edwards.