The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Volleyball Federation and the New Providence Volleyball Association is mourning the passing of one of its long-time former national team players, Hubert Williams, who was considered a gentle giant and a consummate team player.

Williams, a Land Surveyor by profession, died on Sunday at the age of 66. He leaves to mourn his wife, Vesta, and a host of other family members and friends.

Oswald Moore, who coached Williams for about 10-11 years on the Paradise Giants men’s volleyball team, said it was so sad to hear of his passing.

“He was an excellent player who always put out his best. He was a hard worker and was easy to coach,” Moore said. “He did well. I heard the news on Sunday and we were all distraught about his death.”

In 1971, Leslie ‘Russia’ Cartwright said he and Williams joined the NPVA, albeit on opposing teams. While he went on to win the Rookie of the Year award with the Wardrobe Stars, Williams was the runner-up with the Giants.

At the time, Stars were the undefeated high school team from Jordan Prince William, coached by Caswell Thompson, who also was the men’s national coach. Both Cartwright and Williams played together on the men’s national team coached by Thompson.

“Hubie came into volleyball bringing height for the national team,” Cartwright said. “He and I travelled throughout the Caribbean and South America at that time because volleyball was on the rise and we played in most international competitions, including the CAC Games, the Pan American Games and the English speaking Caribbean Tournament.

“He brought height and used it as a middle block defender,” Cartwright recalled.

“After about four years playing with the national team, he went off to school. But he was always involved in assisting us with whatever it was to do with volleyball when he returned home.”

Williams’ childhood friend Leon Evans said the news came as a shock to him.

“Hubie was a tall, kind gentle giant, very helpful and considerate,” Evans said.

“Whatever you was doing, Hubie was there for you. If you needed help, Hubie was there. I know for me, Hubie would come sit down and we would talk for hours.

“He had a wealth of information, very bright and intelligent.”

Living in close proximity of two blocks in between in the Pyfrom Road area, Evans said they normally went walking on Paradise Island Bridge,” he said. “He was a walker. He always liked to walk.”

Evans also noted that back in the 1970s, they created their own dark room in his home where they developed black and white photos.

He noted that just about two months ago, he went back into the dark room to re-create a studio type operation.

“We go way back,” he summed up. “He will be missed.”