Auburn football’s team chaplain of 26 years, Rev. Chette Williams, tragically passed away in a drowning at Lake Martin on Sunday evening, WAKA Action 8 News first reported and was later confirmed by law enforcement.
Known by many as Brother Chette, Williams had served as Auburn football’s team chaplain since 1999. According to the Alabama Baptist, Williams was the longest-standing chaplain at an NCAA Division I school.
“Heartbroken to hear the news about Chette Williams. Brother Chette was a remarkable man who led hundreds of young people to the Lord through the years. He was the architect of the 2004 Hard Fighting soldiers theme that turned into a national movement. His leadership has been a steady part of Auburn athletics for more than two decades. But more than sports, Brother Chette helped athletes understand that their purpose was much greater than anything they could ever accomplish on the field,” former Auburn head coach and current U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville said.
Williams, a former Auburn linebacker from 1982-84 under Pat Dye, helped the Tigers win three bowl games; the Tangerine, Sugar and Liberty Bowls as well as the 1983 SEC Championship.
Licensed as a minister in 1987 and ordained in 1988, Williams received a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in Adult Education in 1985, and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1993.
“I am thankful that we recently had the opportunity to catch up. Auburn wouldn’t be what it is today without him. My thoughts and prayers are with Brother Chette’s family, along with those impacted by his ministry through the years. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the lives he touched,” Tuberville said.
Williams authored two books, “Hard Fighting Soldier: Finding God in Trials, Tragedies, and Triumphs” in 2007, and “The Broken Road: Finding God’s Strength and Grace on a Journey of Faith” in 2013.
In 2019, Williams tragically lost his son, Chette Williams, Jr., in an Atlanta shooting. Williams is survived by his daughters, Lauren and Caitlyn. His son, Chette Jr., preceded him in death in 2019.
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