‘Deeds not words’ propel Roy’s life

‘‘I go out with these really good golfers and they probably think, did this guy really win a Commonwealth Games gold medal?’’

One day while running home past Grey Lynn Primary School in Auckland after training, he saw a sign with the school’s motto on it.

In big and bold letters, the words ‘‘Deeds not words’’ spoke to him.

This one moment changed his life and that motto became his lifelong mantra.

‘‘Too many people talk about what they’re going to do, but don’t back it up with actually doing what they say they’re going to do,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t have a lot of time for that.’’

Roy adopted a lot of his sister’s training methods.

‘‘Yvette trained so hard and still worked a 40-hour week,’’ he said.

In December 1960, he married his Ngaire. They were two peas in a pod, travelling the world with Ngaire’s love of sport, especially rugby sometimes rivalling her husband’s.

‘‘Like me Ngaire was sports crazy and had sports running through veins, her kindness and compassion was something I admired greatly,’’ he said.

‘‘Unfortunately she was afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis and she sadly died in 2002 aged 63.’’

Eighteen months ago Roy moved to Te Aroha and he and his partner Sandra are enjoying the kicked-back lifestyle.

Auckland had became a rat race.

He enjoys going to the gym and playing golf, but says even after playing for so many years, it’s one sport he’s just not that good at.

‘‘I’m pretty shocking. I go out with these really good golfers and they probably think, did this guy really win a Commonwealth Games gold medal?’’

Roy has coached many people through the years including rugby league legend Jarrod McCracken.

He is currently working with a few promising young athletes in the district including Alesha McQuoid, Sara Knightley and Oliver Morton-Farrelly.

‘‘I’ve always wanted to help people. I get a lot of enjoyment from helping,’’ he said.

He has some simple advice that he passed onto countless people who have had the pleasure of being schooled or coached by him.

‘‘You can have all the talent in the world, but it means nothing without hard work and sacrifice.’’

KATRINA TANIRAU Now living in Te Aroha, Roy Williams holds a copy of The Evening Post featuring a caricature of his sister Yvette after she won gold at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.

Roy Williams competing in the long jump event at the Auckland Championships.