James "Froggy" Williams

James "Froggy" Williams March 18, 1928 - June 23, 2015 On Tuesday, June 23rd, James "Froggy" Williams, arguably one of Rice University's greatest football heroes, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by loved ones. He was 87. Services will be held on Saturday, June 27th, at 10AM at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston, with a reception following. Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 29, at Waco Memorial Park in Waco, Texas. Froggy was born March 18, 1928 in Waco, Texas, to Gertrude and Alvis Williams, and it was soon clear that he was not going to be an ordinary man. As his Wikipedia entry states, he had little problem living up to his nickname, for he was as "slippery as an amphibian as he confounded enemy defenses" in becoming and remaining to this day Rice University's all-time leading scorer. His 156 career points came on 13 touchdowns, 75 conversion kicks and a field goal. As team captain, he led the Rice Owls to a 10-1 season, and a victory in the 1949 Cotton Bowl against North Carolina. Perhaps his most-remembered play came that year against archrival Texas when he kicked the lone field goal of his career in the waning seconds of the game to upset the Longhorns, 17-15. The consensus All-American was recognized as one of the best ends to play that position for the Southwest Conference when he was elected to the College Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1965, and to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. To the very end, Rice University remained his passion, as he settled into the role of unofficial Historian of Rice Football in recent years, having undertaken a well-received series of articles and memoirs for the Rice Historical Society. His wife and children recall how much he loved the many camping and backpacking trips to the Colorado mountains, and the from-scratch biscuits he cooked in a Dutch oven over open coals. Later in life, he and Robbie took up skiing, and hosted winter vacations in Colorado with their children and grandchildren. He was always the center of attention and affection for his large, loving, extended family at the annual Labor Day dove hunt in Gatesville. Despite occasional business setbacks and the late onset of severe scoliosis, he never lost his faith in God, his sense of humor, nor his love of life. He was profoundly loved and respected by his family and his friends, who took great joy in knowing a very special and unique man. He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 65 years, Robbie Williams, his brother-in-law Joe Lochridge Caroline, and his five children Cindy Norman Jimmy, Rice Williams Donna, Amy Cagle Mike, Jill Williams Ron, and Amanda McCurdy Keith. He was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bobby Wayne Cagle Scholarship Fund at Rice University. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in the "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.