Husband, father, grandfather, friend, former professional baseball player, and mentor to all. Walter Allen Williams affectionately known as “Walt” was born December 19, 1943, in Brownwood, TX to the parentage of Coleman and Pearlie Mae “Big Mama” Williams. 1 of 8 children, Walt at an early age became very competitive. Walt attended R.F. Hardin Elementary School. As a young kid Williams was quite talented. He started his Career in Baseball Playing for a multicultural team the Brownwood Bees.

Williams was nicknamed “No-Neck” due to his relatively short stature (5 feet 6 inches) combined with a muscular, compact torso and a short neck. His odd physical appearance was the result of a typhus injection he received as a baby. After Brownwood was hit by a flood, the government gave typhus injections to prevent the spread of the disease. Williams was so muscular even as a baby that medical personnel were unable to reach a vein, except in the back of his neck. He developed a crick in his neck, which then stiffened and shrank. Williams was sent in adolescence to live with an aunt in San Francisco, while in San Francisco Williams graduated from Galileo High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. After high School he then attended San Francisco Community College. Where he played baseball.

Williams played in Major League Baseball and the Nippon Professional Baseball league as an outfielder between 1964 and 1977, he spent 10 years in the majors. Most prominently as a member of the Chicago White Sox where, he established himself as a fan favorite for his enthusiastic playing style. He also played for the Houston Colt .45s, Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees before playing for two seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league with the Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Williams played in 842 games, accumulating 640 hits in 2,373 at bats for a .270 career batting average along with 33 home runs, 173 runs batted in and an on-base percentage of .310. Williams was a good defensive outfielder, committing only 19 errors in 565 games for a fielding percentage of .981. He played the entire 1971 season without committing an error, compiling a 1.000 fielding percentage.

After his playing career was complete, Williams turned to coaching. In the late 80s through the mid 90s Williams coached, first with the Chicago White Sox, and then the Texas Rangers.

In 1988, Williams married the love of his life Ester, and they would spend 27 loving years together. Wanting to start a family, Williams retired from the pros and returned to his hometown of Brownwood, there he continued with the work he loved, coaching, and helping kids become better at whatever they wanted to do. Since Walt’s retirement as a professional athlete, he took up the hobby of golfing. He would spend countless hours at the country club, and any golf course to get a good game of golf in. Williams worked with the youth of this community in all capacities, and mentored hundreds at the Bennie Houston Community Center, where he worked as the center director for 30 plus years.

Walt Williams, at the age of 72, passed away January 23, 2016, at Abilene Regional Medical Center. Left to continue his legacy of caring for the youth and community are wife of 27 years Ester Williams, daughter Sherry Barron, 3 sons Deron Williams, Gary “Potsie” Barron and Walter Williams, Jr.

Revitalizing Our Community (ROC) would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Brownwood’s own, Walter “Walt” Williams, for the 30 plus years of investing in the youth and community of Brownwood.

This will be a four-week, weekly series presented by ROC spotlighting African American Heroes from or in Brownwood, who have made an impact on the community.