Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 18, 1990 TAG: 9007180240
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Williams, who turned around the small school's athletic program, died Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. of a disease that kept him off the sideline part of last fall but could not break his spirit.
Williams battled back from two operations and daily radiation treatments to return as coach at Bath County, which finished the regular season as the top-ranked Group A football team in Virginia.
He was there when the Chargers' effort to win a Group A Division I football championship came to an end in December in the mud against a heavier Appalachia team.
Williams, 40, a native of Webster Springs, W.Va., is survived by his mother, Mrs. Doris Farnsworth, his wife Charlotte, and two daughters, Shawnda Jo and Marti. There will be a private graveside service Thursday in Webster Springs, and a memorial service will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at Carl F. Williams Field on the Bath County High campus.
Williams was the football coach at Bath County for six years. His career record was 37-26, but the Chargers enjoyed their greatest success last season. It was a result of Williams' genius as he switched to the single-wing offense several years ago to take advantage of Bath County's quick but small players.
Two seasons ago, Bath County went 9-1 but did not qualify for the playoffs because the Chargers did not play a full league schedule. Bath returned to Pioneer District play two years ago, then won 12 consecutive games last season on its way to a 12-1 record.
"There was a time when I was criticized by a few people in Bath County because I believed it was more important how you played a game than how many you won. There aren't many critics anymore," Williams said last fall while talking about his fight against cancer.
That statement said a lot about Williams' career at Bath County.
"He came in and virtually turned the program around," said Percy Nowlin, Bath County schools superintendent, on Tuesday.
"Not just in football, in participating in all sports. To a certain extent, he did it through a great deal of pride. His trademark, which is very unusual for a coach in this day and time, was through love. He expressed a great deal of care, understanding and concern for his players."
Jamie Lowry, a team co-captain, said love was a big part of the success story at Bath.
"Coach Williams told us quite often that he loved each and everyone of us, and we felt the same about him, he said. "Companionship and love was the theme of the team."
In an interview in the fall, Williams said: "I would rather have a kid come up to me after a game and tell me that he loves me rather than score a touchdown. This isn't a new Carl Williams. This is how I came to Bath County."
Just as big a part of the story were brothers Chris and Tim Williams, the running backs in the Chargers' single wing. They were voted Group A co-players of the year last season.
Chris Williams, who was Timesland's athlete of the year, was regarded as one of the state's top football prospects. However, he signed a letter-of-intent to play baseball at James Madison University.
Tim Williams returns to Bath County this fall and will be the main offensive threat for the Chargers. The two brothers are not related to the coach.
"We all knew it was coming eventually. We didn't think it would be this soon," said Chris Williams, speaking by phone from JMU in Harrisonburg. "I can't even explain how much he meant to me. He's done things for me personally that a lot of people wouldn't even consider doing."
Carl Williams underwent surgery twice in the fall - Sept. 8 and Oct. 11. He first had surgery two years before that, and doctors told him then that there was a 50-50 chance of a recurrence of the cancer. His father had died of colon cancer and his sister also had surgery for the same disease.
Williams' brother, Steve, and Harvey Eye coached the Chargers while Williams was in the hospital.
Even when Carl Williams returned, he didn't come back to the sideline because of superstition as the team was doing so well.
Carl Williams said then that "I'm not going to substitute like you might for basketball. Mentally, I can't add anything to this team. Emotionally, I might help. Whether I'm on the sideline won't make any difference after the game."
Carl Williams was more than just a football coach, he also was athletic director and assistant principal at Bath County. His impact on the community was felt in many areas.
"It's a sad blow, not only for the kids but for the entire community," said Johnny Gazzola, a member of the Bath County school board. "He took us further in football than ever before. He would come on the field before the game and shake each player's hand. He was an inspiration."
Nowlin said: "I guess he achieved a once-in-a-lifetime miracle at Bath County. We're so small. But things came together for one brief year. The sad part is that he's not here to see and enjoy some of the results of the seeds that he sowed. He was interested in the kids graduating, obtaining jobs, marrying and raising families."
by CNB