Mr. John Marion Williams

John Marion Williams, 85, born December 10, 1935 died September 2, 2021, at his residence. Visitations will be held at Chancellor Funeral home in Byram, MS. Visitation will be held Monday September 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. A second visitation will be held Tuesday September 7 at 10:00 am. The funeral will follow at 11:00 am. and interment at Lakewood Memorial Park South. Coach John M. Williams of Hermanville, MS, was a long-time resident of Biloxi, Clinton, and Jackson. A career football coach and athletic director with Mississippi College and Biloxi School System, John was beloved by his former players and all who knew him. He had a passion for deep sea fishing and hunting, and made numerous fishing trips to Alaska. Coach Williams was as tough as nails, surviving both an alligator and shark bite. He enjoyed hosting Wynndale Winners Shrimp boils each year at his home. Williams was a graduate of Port Gibson HS and was named Mr. Port Gibson High. He excelled in all sports, and played football and baseball at Copiah Lincoln CC. He played football at Mississippi College, where he earned a degree in Math and Education. He obtained his Master’s Degree from USM in Physical Education. He coached football at East Tallahatchie High School in Charleston, MS and took Magee High School to a 22-0 record, winning the Little Dixie Championship. He next began coaching at Biloxi HS and led his team to win the Big 8 championship. Following Biloxi, he continued his career as athletic director and head football coach at Mississippi College in 1972, and remained at MC until 1990. His team at Mississippi College won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1989. His overall record at MC was 122 wins, 81 losses, and 3 ties. Coach Williams was named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year, Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year, and Mississippi Collegiate Coach of the Year. Upon leaving Mississippi College, he returned to Biloxi and again served as the athletic director and head football coach for Biloxi High School, until he retired. He was inducted into Copiah Lincoln Student and Alumni, MS Association of Coaches, Mississippi College, Biloxi Sports, and the Gulf South Halls of Fame. He was a member of Wynndale Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for many years. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carole S. Williams and former wife Norma Ann Williams, siblings Theodore Williams, Bruce Williams, Jo Ann Dickerson, James Earl Williams, Martha Klingler, Herbert Williams and parents Lela Mae and Emmett Bruce Williams. He is survived by his brother Ronnie Williams of Yazoo City, MS; his three daughters, Johnelyn Wilson of Little Rock, AR, Cindy Ringler of Clinton, MS (Lance), Melissa Corry of Iuka, MS (Michael), step-children Michael Collins of Raymond, MS (Pamela), and Lauren Reed of Tupelo, MS (David); grandchildren Taylor Berumen (Mallory), Matthew Godfrey, Jonathan Berumen, James Spitchley, Lindy Jones (Brayden), Regan Ringler, Gabriel Corry, Olivia Wilson, step-grandchildren Tori Sloan Collins and Jackson Reed, 6 great grandchildren (Jonathan Jr., Kellar, Trip, Lela, Ben and Hayes), friend and companion Carolyn Garrett and former player Lorenzo Diamond. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wynndale Baptist Church of Terry, MS.