John L. Williams

John “Johnny” Williams was born July 25, 1925 in Longview, Texas to Fred Williams and Minnie Wilkerson Williams. He was the youngest of three children. During his early childhood he attended Longview Bethel Baptist Church, graduated from Longview High School and later attended Texas College in Tyler, Texas.

Johnny served in the US Army and upon his return to civilian life, he attended the University of Southern California where he majored in engineering and joined the football team. After leaving USC he moved to Midland in 1950 where he taught mathematics and coached football, track and field at George Washington Carver High School. During his tenure at Carver, he coached Midland’s first Football State Championship team in 1961. He worked at Carver until it closed in 1968. Over a 43-year career he taught and coached at Carver, Robert E. Lee and Midland Senior high schools. The only teacher/coach to work at all three Midland high schools.

In Midland he attended Greater St. Luke A. M. E. Church and was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

After retiring and relocating to Arlington, Texas, Johnny was a volunteer football, track and field coach at Lamar High School for over 20 years and received the Arlington Unsung Hero Award in 2018.

He received his master’s degree from the University of Iowa and was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother J.D. Williams, and sister Artelia Perry. To cherish his memory he leaves his wife of 71 years, Margaret, his daughter, Dianne Culton Smith, son Michael L. Williams, daughter, Pamela Williams Hughes, granddaughter, Kelley Smith, grandson, Mikai Williams, granddaughter Mia Williams-Collings, six great grandchildren, Oliver Smith-Perrin, Quitman Pruitt, KaMyah Williams, Isiah Williams, Keanu Williams and Kawhi Williams, and a host of athletes, coaches, students and friends.