We are sad to announce that on February 24, 2023 we had to say goodbye to Chester Allen Williams of Wewahitchka, Florida. He is the fifth player to lose his life in the Springbok squad from 1995, following Kitch Christie (coach), Ruben Kruger (flank), Joost van der Westhuizen (scrumhalf), and Small (wing) who passed away a few months ago. Wilfred announced his retirement in the changing room afterwards, saying that when you appeared in the same team as your son, it was time to go. Williams, a powerful winger, was initially kept out of the tournament because of injury, leaving South Africa with an all-white squad. Rest well Chester, rest in power legend. 2023 Joynes Funeral Home, Inc.. All Rights Reserved. The other day I said to my wife I cant remember the last time I was on a train, it was a long, long time ago. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? He was passionate about rugby and South Africa and as coach, at various levels, selflessly gave back to the game after he hung up his boots. How to get into rugby union - get into the social team game that brings people together. He was born on Aug. 8, 1970, in Paarl, about 40 miles east of Cape Town, one of five children of Wilfred and Julene Williams. He played with courage and was a beacon of light in his community and in the broader South African context. Williams, who was classified as colored in South Africas system of racial divisions, was an important presence in the 1995 tournament because his team, the Springboks, had historically been white, playing the sport most cherished by the Afrikaners, the dominant political group under apartheid. He earned a total of 70 points. As the world mourns the death of Linkin Park's singer Chester Bennington, the circumstances surrounding his death are shrouded in suspicion.His death was ruled as a suicide by police after he was found hanging at his home in Palos Verdes near LA on Thursday morning, despite the lack of a toxicology report or an official Los Angeles County coroner's verdict. However, Williams will always be most remembered for being the only black player in the South African squad that first won the World Cup 24 years ago. CHESTER WILLIAMS OBITUARY. Search the Archive. Chester Williams, right, during the Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, in 1995. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Read more about the life story of James and share your memory. View the profiles of people named Chester Williams. [6] His honours included a Currie Cup win in 1999, with the Golden Lions,[2] a Tri-Nations title in 1998 (albeit that he only made two short appearances as substitute)[7] and the World Cup win in 1995. 3,542 . Chester Williams Death Obituary : Chester Williams has passed away. When he was left off the 1999 World Cup team, he said, he was told it was because Springboks had fulfilled its racial quotas, demonstrating to him that a belief in white superiority remained ingrained. South Africa then won 15-12. The beer is set to be sold in Japan as the 2019 Rugby World Cup proceeds. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Williams was a key part of the 1995 South African side that won the Rugby World Cup on home soil, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. He also played a key defensive role in the teams winning exhaustingly tight contests against France and New Zealand. Facebook gives people the. During his long and storied career, Williams played in 27 tests for the Boks between 1993 and 2000 during which time he managed 14 tries. The moment inspired the Clint Eastwood film Invictus (2009), on which Williams worked as an adviser. Springbok great Chester Williams' sudden death from a heart attack on Friday came a week after his sister was hospitalised due to the same ailment. A triumphant victory for South African history during a tumultuous period that saw newly elected president Nelson Mandela bring a country together through a love of rugby and bought solidarity like never before following Apartheid. He served in the United States Navy and was the owner of Chester's Bait Shop in Panama City. "Williams was a true pioneer in South African rugby and his performances at the World Cup in 1995, as a snapshot of his Springbok career, will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of our rugby public.. This post will be updated with more information as they are made available and public. These include: Alexander concluded: Williams was not only well-known in the rugby fraternity, but he was a much-loved South African whose influence stretched wider than just the rugby world. The journey of the deceased has sadly come to an end on earth. He was the star winger in the South African national Springbok squad. Nicknamed the "Black Pearl", Williams who was 49, was a Springbo. Published on 02/02/2023. Carlin also wrote that during the team's visit to a township, Mark Andrews had attracted more attention than Williams as he was able to speak Xhosa. Chester worked for Contech for 19 years before . CADMAN Ian Stewart Ian passed away at the Countess of Chester Hospital on 26th January 2023, aged. Locally, in the Currie cup, Williams played for the Western Province. He was picked as one of the suitable replacements of coach Rudolf Straeuli after Rudolf resigned in 2003. A woman who was a teenager in 2013 when she received a life prison sentence for her part in a botched robbery that also included the murder of a 19-year-old in Fairfield will get a . Wyman. They had three children together, Williams step-son, who was seven during the 1995 World Cup, Ryan, as well as twins, Chloe and Matthew. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Since retiring as a player in 2001, Williams had spells coaching the Springbok Sevens team, Super Rugby's Cats and the Pumas in South Africa. Williams had been quiet, undemonstrative and uncomplaining in his playing days, so the rugby world was all the more surprised when, in a 2002 autobiography, he told of how he had experienced ugly moments. He, however, landed another job as the coach of Cats Super 12 team where he worked until 2005 when he was sacked because of the team's poor performance. How do we create a person's profile? He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Roberta Williams, a son, James Chester Williams, Jr. and a daughter, Shelia Anne Lewis. Mostly, they come to you in the most unexpected ways, like through humility and great acts of bravery. Unlike popular belief, heroes do not come dressed in blue aprons and a mask. Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, revealed his shock after hearing Williams had died in Cape Town on Friday afternoon. He was 49. He served his country well and fulfilled his purpose. Williams later moved into coaching, most recently taking charge of the Ugandan and Tunisian national teams. Williams is best remembered for his role in the Springboks iconic 1995 Rugby World Cup win over New Zealand in South Africa. Williams faced the Samoans again, scoring four of his sides six tries in a 42-14 victory, kept his place in the semi-final against France and, the only non-white player in the squad, played in the final against New Zealand at Ellis Park in Johannesburg which the hosts won with a Joel Stransky drop goal in extra time. But the suspension of another wing, Pieter Hendricks, after an epic brawl during a game against Canada, paved the way for a healed Williams to return. He was born on August 27, 1942. Williams was the only black player in the Springboks squad . Not you too, Chester? President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa wrote on Twitter. He did not land that gig. Chester Williams is the World Cup-winning South African rugby player who died on September 6 at the age of 49. "A lack of blood to the heart may seriously damage the heart muscle and can be life-threatening.. He left behind his family: Maria, his wife, and 3 children, Ryan, Chloe and Matthew who are twins. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. Middletown Police Department at the scene of an officer-involved shooting outside of Walmart Saturday. While most people typically associate heart attacks with tightness or pressure in the chest, one study reports that for many heart attack sufferers, sudden sweating and a pain in the shoulder are stand-out symptoms.Other symptoms of a heart attack include feeling pressure or tightness in the chest, arms or shoulders that can move into the neck, jaw, or back. Williams was the only black player in the Springboks squad as they claimed the world title in 1995. Chester Kenny Williams was born on May 8, 1956 to Richard Henry Williams, Sr. and Edith Dorothy Williams in Dawn, VA. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. The marketing men branded me as a product of development and a sign of change, said Williams in 2002, two years after he retired from playing. Chester Williams, the only nonwhite player on the South Africa rugby team that won the Rugby Union World Cup in 1995, a victory on home soil that marked a historic moment of reconciliation just a year after apartheid fell, died on Sept. 6 in Cape Town. South African rugby union footballer and coach (19702019), This article is about the South African rugby union footballer. He retired from the South Africa team in 2000 with totals of 27 matches and 14 tries in international matches. Search funeral notices in Cheshire featuring the Chester Chronicle, Crewe Chronicle and Cheshire Live, on the much loved tribute site funeral-notices.co.uk, where you can leave loving tributes for free on any of our death notices, obituaries, in memoriams, and acknowledgements Father Unavailable. Your impact both on and off the field in forging unity amongst all South Africans remains your greatest legacy., Chester Williams, Rugby Champion Who Signaled Apartheids Defeat, Dies at 49, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/sports/rugby/chester-williams-dead.html. He moved to Kittanning, PA and attended Kittanning High School. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The memorial service and funeral dates of the celebrated rugby player and coach has been confirmed. He was rushed to a hospital, but sadly passed away on arrival. Against Argentina, on November 13th, 1993 in Buenos Aires, Springboks won 52-23. September 2, 2021 Son of Mercy News 0. The game saw Williams score four tries, becoming the first South African to score a hat-trick at the World Cup. During the tournament he scored four tries for South . Mornay was nicknamed The Black Pearl after winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup against New Zealand. Who played Chester Williams in Invictus? The tournament followed the country's return to international competition after decades of sanctions and anti-apartheid boycotts. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in San Augustine County. ANNOUNCE A DEATH. After retiring, Williams pursued a career in coaching, including a spell with the South Africa national rugby sevens team, the Uganda national rugby union team, and the University of the Western Cape. Tributes are flowing for a man respected and loved throughout the . When White stepped down as the national coach in 2008, Williams was again in the running to replace him, but the job instead went to Peter de Villiers. South African Rugby Magazine reports that Williams may have suffered a heart attack. The NHS said: A heart attack is a serious medical emergency and you should dial 999 asking for an ambulance if you suspect a heart attack. Williams het in 1991-1998 vir die Westelike Provinsie en in 1999 vir die Goue Leeus in die Curriebeker gespeel. He also won the Currie Cup with the Golden Lions in 1999. #ChesterWilliams pic.twitter.com/V0jaZindx8, Koketso3x (@Koketso3x1) September 6, 2019, Farewell to a #Springboks legend. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60+ years, Jewell Cooper Williams. Calvary Baptist Church, Dawn, VA. His Boks career, hampered by knee injuries in 1996 and 1997, ended with a 2313 win against Wales on 26 November 2000 in Cardiff. 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