Harry "Hal" Earle Williams

Harry “Hal” Earle Williams passed away at a New Orleans hospital Tuesday evening surrounded by his family and Pastor after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest while attending the New Orleans Saints game Sunday. He was 71. A native of Mobile, Hal attended Murphy High School and was a standout football and track athlete. Following his prep career, Williams attended The Citadel on a football scholarship before transferring to the University of South Alabama following a career-ending injury. At USA, he served as a student assistant coach/trainer under former coaches Jimmy Taylor and Cliff Ellis.

After graduating from South Alabama, Williams accepted the challenge of building the first women's basketball program at Cumberland Junior College in Lebanon, Tenn. In 1979, he assumed the role of Head Men's Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics, where he served until 1982. During his tenure at Cumberland, Williams' teams compiled a 115-40 record, claiming two Tennessee State Junior College Athletic Association State Championships. While at Cumberland, Williams also earned his master's degree in secondary school administration from Middle Tennessee State University.

In 1983, Williams returned to Mobile and served as the head boys' basketball and head golf coach at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School until 1988. His basketball teams posted an 85-52 mark over the five years, while his golf teams captured three state championships.

Williams returned to his alma mater in 1988 to serve as head golf coach and NCAA Compliance Officer. The Jaguar men's team won three Sun Belt titles under his direction. In 1996, Williams was named Assistant Athletic Director and relinquished the duties of golf coach. He was promoted to Associate Director of Athletics in 2005. Williams held that role until his retirement four years ago, though he remained a constant presence at South Alabama athletic events. Always fun-loving and passionate about the Jags, Williams never met a stranger that supported the Jags and went above and beyond to make sure everyone that worked for or served any role in the Athletic Department was treated with respect and importance.

Williams is preceded in death by his parents, Harry E. Williams and Maxine R. Williams. Williams is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Dittmann) and their four sons Kevin (Melissa), Michael (Lucy), John (Elaina), and Tyler. He also had 8 grandchildren- Sara, Ethan, Quinn, Emmy, Maddie, Cullan, Taylor, and Landry whom he loved more than he loved his Jags. He is also survived by his sister, Martha (Danny) Fagan of Atlanta, GA and multiple nieces and family members.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Mitchell Center with a Words of Remembrance from 6:00-6:45 that the public is invited to attend as well. Funeral will be Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 11:00 am at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 3900 Airport Blvd, Mobile, AL 36608.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family is requesting donations or gifts be made to the newly created Hal Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will benefit a student athlete or student worker within the Athletic Department annually that best embodies the qualities that he exhibited and the passion/love he had for South Alabama.

You can access this at https://giving.southalabama.edu/williams. Arrangements are by Ascension Funeral Home, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695.