Hall of Fame
As one of the earliest standouts of the Northwest men's basketball program, Cecil Williams played a vital role in shaping the Rangers for future success on the hardwood.
A 1966 graduate of Bruce High School, Williams started every game during his two seasons in a Ranger uniform, averaging 26.4 points per game during his sophomore campaign in 1967-68. Appointed as the team's captain during his sophomore year, Williams earned numerous accolades, most notably as a First Team selection to the Mississippi All-State Basketball Team.
Williams was known for more than just his success on the court, however. He earned the title of Mr. Northwest in 1968 while also serving as the president of the sophomore class. He garnered other accomplishments for academics as well, receiving recognition as a member of the Student Council, Phi Beta Lambda, and Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. Other recognition included Campus Leader and an award for Most Versatile on the court.
After earning an associate of arts in business, Williams took both his athletic and academic talents to Mississippi College from 1968-70. He spent two seasons on scholarship with the Choctaws' men's basketball program, playing under legendary coach James Q. Allen and left with a bachelor of science in business. From there, Williams continued his education at Delta State University, earning his masters in health and physical education in 1973.
It didn't take long for Williams to return to his Ranger roots, returning to Northwest in 1971 serving as the assistant director of financial aid and as an assistant basketball coach under Henry B. Koon. Collectively, Koon and Williams helped the Rangers to a 25-5 overall record, a perfect 16-0 slate in conference play and an MACJC Championship during the 1971-72 season.
Williams continued his employment at Northwest and held later stints as a recruiter and financial aid director until 1976, when he took a position as a frame supervisor at the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Houston from 1977-79. In 1979, he took another position handling data processing and networking at Houston Lighting & Power Company, a position he held for nearly 25 years.
In 2002, Williams returned to Mississippi and education serving as the headmaster and basketball coach at Winona Christian School until 2004, when he was hired at Itawamba Community College. At ICC, Williams served in various roles as the director of the Workforce Investment Act and as a continuing education instructor before retiring in 2011.
Even after retirement, Williams has remained close with the sport of basketball and recently took on a volunteer coaching role for the girls' basketball program at Calhoun Academy in Pittsboro.
Williams is married to his wife Ratchaneegorn (Tookta) Williams. The couple has one son, Justin, who continues to live in Houston.
