Waycross legend, Hall of Fame coach Dale Williams dies

A graveside service for former Waycross football coach Dale Williams will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in his hometown of Valdosta, where he was a star quarterback.

Williams, a member of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, died Wednesday while in hospice care. He was 79.

Williams was the quarterback for state championship teams at Valdosta in 1956 and 1957. He was an allstate player as a senior and earned a football scholarship to Georgia, where he backed up roommate Fran Tarkenton at quarterback. He also played linebacker and safety for the Bulldogs.

Williams was a high school coach in Georgia for 32 seasons at Dodge County (196465), Baker of Columbus (196671), Waycross (1972-93) and Ware County (1994-95). His Waycross teams won state titles in 1977 and 1981, the latter with his son, Todd, as the quarterback. Todd Williams also became a quarterback at Georgia.

Dale Williams’ record as a head coach was 230-122-3. He ranked in the top 15 alltime in Georgia victories at his retirement.

Williams also is a member of the Waycross/Ware County and Valdosta High School sports halls of fame.

The family was to receive friends Saturday at MilesOdum Funeral Home. Monday’s graveside service will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta at 2 p.m.