Mark Williams

BEDFORD -- Mark W. Williams, 59, our loving husband, father, son, brother, coach, teacher and friend, was mercifully summoned home by his Creator on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, surrounded by the love of his family and friends after a long and gallant battle with colon cancer. Service: The family would like to invite Mark's family and friends to join them in a celebration of Mark's life at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, in the auditorium at Trinity High School, 500 N. Industrial Blvd., Euless. Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Mark Williams Gymnastics Scholarship Fund. Donations can be sent to Debbie Williams, L.D. Bell High School, 1601 Brown Trail, Hurst, Texas 76054. The Williams family would like to thank all who have supported them during Mark's illness and are grateful for everyone's prayers and expressions of love. We would also like to thank Dr. James M. Turner, M.D., and the most caring staff of Texas Oncology in Bedford for all of their valiant efforts on Mark's behalf. Thank you for helping us to persevere during the past three years and for sharing the burden of our loss. Mark was born in 1950 to Jean and Bill Williams in Oil City, Pa. He graduated from Garland High School and studied physical education at the University of North Texas in Denton, graduating in 1974. Mark began his gymnastics coaching career at the Garland Flippers Club in 1970 and continued there until 1984. Mark began coaching gymnastics and teaching at North Junior High School in Richardson in 1976, and in 1977 at North Garland High School, where he coached numerous state and national champions. Mark fulfilled a lifelong dream in 1984 when he became the assistant men's gymnastics coach at the University of Oklahoma. In 1987, Mark returned to coaching in Garland at South Garland High School and also his alma mater, Garland High School. The following year, he was named head boys' gymnastics coach at Euless Trinity High School where he built, over his 20-year tenure, one of the most respected and successful high school gymnastics programs in the state of Texas. In addition to coaching gymnastics, he was an internationally rated gymnastics judge who was an enthusiastic member of the National Gymnastics Judging Association. Over the course of his judging career, he had the opportunity to judge many national and international competitions. The Gymnastics Association of Texas made Mark a lifetime member in 2004 for his contributions to the sport. Mark was inducted in 2007 into the Garland Sports Hall of Fame, and the following year he was inducted into the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Sports Hall of Fame. This past spring the men's gymnastics region III program honored Mark by presenting him with the first annual Mark Williams Award, which will recognize individuals for their contributions to the sport. This summer the National Gymnastics Judging Association bestowed on Mark the highest honor a judge can receive in the United States by presenting him the Frank Cumisky Gymnastics Judging Award. Survivors: His wife, Debbie; sons, Chris Williams and Trip Bellard and wife, Rachel; daughter, Cass Lynn and husband, Joey; grandson, Michael Reed Downing; mother, Jean Atkin; brother, Jay Williams; and sisters, Jodi and Linda Williams.

Mark Williams

July 21, 1950 - August 22, 2009