Having recently celebrated his 86th birthday, Hal Jerry Williams passed away peacefully at home in Tenino, Washington, surrounded by the love of family and friends on Sept. 27, 2023.
The son of Elmer James “Smoker” and Essie Audrey (Hanby) Williams, he was born on Sept. 25, 1937, in Carroll County, Arkansas, between Urbanette and Oak Grove on the Frank Humbard farm. The family resided in the Berryville, Arkansas, area until moving to Washington when Hal was 4 in March 1942.
Hal grew up in the Upper Skagit attending Marblemount Grade School, Concrete Grade School, and graduating from Concrete High School in 1955. Hal was a standout athlete at CHS, becoming one of the first 12-sport lettermen in football, basketball and baseball. He developed strong leadership skills as a team captain, in addition to serving as class president and ASB president. He went on to be the first college graduate in his family and played college football at Central Washington State College (now CWU) in Ellensburg, Washington. He attended Central with his high school sweetheart and future wife, Shirley Davis. While at Central, he pursued a degree in teaching, focusing on physical education, health and history, and graduating with a teaching degree in 1959. He would return to Central during the summers to earn his master’s degree and principal credentials in 1967.
It was during college that Hal chose to give his life to God and continued faithfully serving his Lord and Savior all his life. As a man of faith, Hal was an encouragement to his family, friends and all who had the privilege of crossing his path. His true legacy is his Godly example and faithful commitment to his wife and family.
After graduating from Central, Hal married his best friend and lifelong teammate, Shirley Davis, on June 27, 1959. They took teaching jobs in Tenino where they remained for the rest of their married life. They celebrated their 64th anniversary in June.
Hal worked as a teacher, principal, coach, athletic director, volunteer, mentor and student-teacher supervisor. He was tapped to coach football that first fall and established the Tenino track program in the spring of 1960. He would go on to coach basketball and baseball, as well as help establish Little League baseball in Tenino in 1968 and Babe Ruth baseball in 1973. He worked to instill the importance of a strong work ethic, sportsmanship and teamwork in his student-athletes by being an example on the court and in life. After a handful of years teaching, Hal became a principal. He continued in this position until his retirement in 1993 and continued to coach until 2012. This distinguished him as one of the few coaches in the nation to coach in seven decades and be inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (WIBCA) in 2018.
Always respected as being an honest and humble man with a calm demeanor, Hal has been a pillar in the community of Tenino where he devoted his career to the Tenino School District and local universities. He was named the Outstanding School Administrator in five counties in 1993. He also received an Honor Award for Outstanding Service to Washington state high school sports programs from the Washington Secondary School Athletic Administrators Association. Additionally, he was bestowed a national award from the White House and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports when he received the Community Leadership Award in 2008. He could often be seen walking in downtown Tenino visiting with friends and strangers alike on his journeys. In 2014, he received a well-deserved tribute when the Tenino Beaver Stadium press box was renamed after him as a nod to his 50-plus years as the “Voice of the Beavers.” The local VFW and American Legion dedicated a sandstone monument at the entrance of the stadium bearing his moniker in 2018.
Hal also enjoyed fly fishing in the North Cascades, pen and ink drawing, scratchboard artwork, calligraphy and teaching his dog, Barkley, new tricks. He could often be found with a video camera in his hands ready to capture precious memories.
Those left to honor and cherish his memory include his wife, Shirley, of Tenino; son, Brent (Suzanne), of Maple Valley, Washington; son, Brock (Heidi), of Tenino; and daughter, Nikki, of Castle Rock, Washington; as well as grandchildren, Lauren (Drew) Williams Clarkson, Bryson, Kevin, Braxton, Brynn and Dawson Williams and great-granddaughter Ada Mae Clarkson. He was a special brother-in-law to Maureen Cordova and Bill Voth and uncle to several very much-loved nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered with love and respect by many extended family members, friends, community members, colleagues, students and athletes.
A well-lived life is a priceless gift, and we are so thankful that Hal shared his life with us. He would want you to hug and spend time with your loved ones and show God’s love and kindness to others.
Hal was preceded in death by his parents, father Elmer (1987), mother Audrey (1977), and sister, Brenda Sue Hoyle (2011).
The family would like to thank Dr. Dhondup, his staff, the team at Fresenius Kidney Care - Chehalis, Maggie Marchand ARNP and staff at The Clinic at Panorama, the Tenino Fire Department, the Tenino Police Department and hospice for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Hal’s memory for the Williams’ Family Scholarship Fund given to a deserving Tenino High School student, care of Shirley Williams, PO Box 381, Tenino, WA 98589.
There will be a viewing from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at Sticklin Funeral Chapel in Centralia. The service will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 7, 2023, in the Tenino Middle School gymnasium, followed by a graveside at Forest Grove Cemetery in Tenino. A reception with light refreshments provided by the family will be at Parkside Elementary. The service will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/events/306694415459747.
