(DailyChive.com) – The Rev. Chette L. Williams, who dedicated more than two decades as Auburn University’s football chaplain, tragically passed away on Sunday after falling into Lake Martin in Alabama. He was 61 years old.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Williams fell from his pontoon boat near a dock in Elmore County on Sunday evening. Rescue teams found his body about 90 minutes later.
The Auburn football program expressed its sorrow in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Auburn football player and longtime team chaplain Rev. Chette Williams. He made a profound impact on countless people during his 26 years with our program. Brother Chette will be greatly missed.”
Williams’ connection to Auburn ran deep. He played as a linebacker for the Tigers from 1982 to 1984 before stepping into his role as the team chaplain. Beyond his work with Auburn football, he also served as the campus director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and led Urban Ministries for FCA in Alabama.
His ministry work extended across the Southeast. Williams was president of Impact Ministries in Spartanburg, South Carolina, from 1995 to 1999. Before that, he pastored at New Covenant Baptist Church in New Orleans and New Song Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.
Former Auburn head coach and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville shared his condolences, saying, “His leadership has been a steady part of Auburn athletics for more than two decades. But more than sports, Brother Chette helped athletes understand that their purpose was much greater than anything they could ever accomplish on the field.”
Williams’ faith journey began after earning his bachelor’s degree in adult education from Auburn in 1985. He became a licensed minister in 1987, was ordained in 1988, and earned his master’s degree in divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1993. His enduring impact on Auburn and the broader community has been widely acknowledged.
The chaplain’s legacy touched countless lives, both on and off the field. Williams is survived by his two daughters. He was predeceased by his son, Chette Jr., who passed away in 2019.
Auburn’s football family, and the many others who knew him, will remember Williams for his unwavering faith and commitment to helping others.
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