Kamari "Coach" Williams

Kamari Buddy-Lee Williams (“Coach”), 36, of Springfield, Massachusetts, born on March 5, 1984, transitioned from earth to heaven on, Sunday, April 5, 2020. He was the son of State Representative Bud L. Williams and Dr. Gloria (Bass) Williams. Kamari was actively involved in sports and the community activities at a very young age. He often joined his father on organized walks against violence and drug use in the city of Springfield. He began his sports career at the Dunbar Community Center at the age of 5 years, where he was coached by his dad, and the late George “Big Will” Williams, of the Big Will Express. They insisted that Kamari worked hard to excel. Rather than playing at his age group level, he was always a step beyond. After attending Springfield elementary schools, he was a student at Holy Name Middle School. He graduated from the former Cathedral High School in 2002, where he helped lead his team to win the State basketball championship. He continued with post-graduate studies at Suffield Academy in Connecticut. From there, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Rhode Island College in 2008. During his freshman year in college, he was a starting guard on the varsity basketball team, and named the Little East Rookie of the Year. He was inducted into the Rhode Island College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. Kamari most recently was an Adjustment Counselor at Springfield High School. Prior to that, he taught mathematics at the High School of Science and Technology. He touched the lives of many youths through his mentoring and counseling, while serving as the Head Coach of the men’s varsity basketball team at ‘Sci-Tech, since 2014.’ In addition, he served as the coach of the young Springfield Ballers basketball team. Prior to becoming the Head Coach of the Cybercats, he was the coach of the junior varsity men’s basketball team at Cathedral High School. In addition to his love of playing and coaching basketball, he was an avid golfer. Although he was very competitive and athletic, Kamari showed great sportsmanship and humbleness on and off the basketball court. He was awarded the William G. Wise Sportsmanship  award while playing high school basketball. Kamari worked at the Holyoke,Springfield and Chicopee Head Start Program as a Family Outreach Coordinator, the Detention Diversion Advocacy Program in Springfield, and the former Northern Educational Services Program, where he worked as a counselor and mentor to “at risk” youth. He was a member of the Western Massachusetts Association of Basketball Officials. Kamari was baptized at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Springfield, where he sang in the junior choir. He was a member of the junior usher ministry, and was a novice musician. The piano was his instrument of choice. Besides his parents, Kamari leaves to cherish his memory his loving sister, Keisa Williams, along with her sons Amare (whom he called his son) and Deyare Williams, his beloved daughter Kamaya Williams and her sister, Alanna. He is also mourned by his very best friend Shawn Carpenter and his godson Elijah Carpenter, godmother, Gerri Prevost and a host of close cousins, uncles, aunts, family and friends.

The family would like to thank his many friends who supported Kamari and demonstrated their love for him in many ways.

Private services have been entrusted to Harrell Funeral Home. (April 14) A celebration of Kamari’s life will be held at a later date.

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