Roll Call Tribute

Gary Wayne “Buddy” Williams
October 19, 1942 - January 20, 2022

Gary Wayne "Buddy" Williams, passed away on January 20, 2022 at the age of 79. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and loyal friend to all who knew him. Buddy was born on October 19, 1942 in Callisburg, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Kay Autry Williams, on April 20, 1963 in Gainesville, Texas.

Buddy was larger than life and never met a stranger. He believed in the power of positivity and approached each day with a smile and positive attitude. He was passionate about God, his family, his friends, how he could be of service to others and, last but not least, Aggie football.

He is preceded in death by his parents Marshall Harvey "Dooley" Williams and Doris Loleet (Chisum) Williams of Callisburg, Texas; wife of 55 years, Linda Kay Autry Williams; and sister, Marsha Kay Pool of Duncanville, Texas.

He is survived by daughter, Aleisha Gravit (Mark) of Colleyville, Texas; daughter, Leah Robertson '89 of Grapevine, Texas; grandson, Christian Robertson '17 of The Colony, Texas; granddaughter, Avery Robertson of Austin, Texas; nephew, Lee Pool (Stephanie) of Ingram, Texas; and nephew Gary Pool (Mandy) of Edgewood, Texas.

Buddy was a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, where he also played football. He was a member of the Football Lettermen, Class of 1965. After graduation, Buddy was a Graduate Assistant Football coach at Texas A&M for three years until he left to become the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Linden-Kildare High School. Buddy's coaching career continued to Pampa, Texas, Nacogdoches, Texas and ended in Longview, Texas, where he served as Athletic Director at Pine Tree High School.

Following his 14-year coaching career, Buddy spent over 30 years in the oil & gas industry working with Baroid Drilling Fluids, Halliburton, Boots & Coots and Lasso Energy. The oil and gas industry took Buddy and Linda from Longview, Texas to Midland, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana and Houston, Texas, where they both retired. Following retirement, they returned to Whitesboro and built their dream "home on the hill". Whitesboro and the surrounding communities will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the family.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Whitesboro, Whitesboro, Texas. The service will also be livestreamed on the Church's Facebook page @FirstBaptistWhitesboro

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation, P.O. Box 2800, College Station, Texas 77841-2800 or online at www.12thmanfoundation.com in memory of Gary "Buddy" Williams '65.