Kenneth Williams Class of 1963 Wall of Honor
As a sophomore, Kenneth started on the defensive line and earned a varsity letter, playing on a team that missed making the playoffs by a single point. Coming back for his junior season, the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine said that Williams would be solid on the line for the Dumas Demons in 1961. And they were correct.
Kenneth started at offensive tackle and on the defensive line on the 1961 team that would be the first Dumas team in the modern era to make the playoffs; and then of course, to win the coveted state championship. For his play as a junior, Kenneth was named 1st team all-district offensive tackle by the district 1-3A coaches.
Coming back for his senior season in the fall of 1962, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine included him on their honor roll of offensive tackles. (The honor roll honors players for their performance the previous year with the strong belief that they will have an impact on their team in the coming year) Coach Bill Spann said of Williams: “He is the best at that position that we have ever coached.”
And once again, in 1962 Williams started first at offensive tackle for seven games and then was moved to offensive guard for the remaining regular season and playoff games. He also started on the defensive line for his third consecutive year. The Demons accomplished a rare feat for those days, winning the state championship in two consecutive seasons.
Kenneth recalls that one of his most memorable moments as a Dumas Demon was in a 1962 playoff game against Brownwood. Brownwood jumped out to a 10-0 lead at half time; and then Dumas came roaring back in the second half to win that state quarterfinal game 36-18. In that game, Kenneth forced a fumble in the first period which halted a Brownwood drive. The Moore County News press said of a third period where Dumas scored 21 points and Brownwood failed to score: “Brownwood could not move in the third quarter against the charges led by Baker, Williams, and Glover.”
For his play in 1962, Williams was again named first team all-district on both the offensive and defensive lines; and then received all state recognition for his play as an offensive lineman. After receiving all-state honors, Coach Bill Spann remarked: Williams and Glover are the best pair of guards I have ever seen.”
While a Dumas High School student, Kenneth played basketball for one season; and then participated in track and field for three years, throwing the shot put and the discus. He was also his senior class president; president of the Letterman’s club; and a member of the National Honor Society.
After a brief stint of playing college football, Kenneth enlisted into the Army where he served with valor in the Vietnam War. After the army, he received his college degree and for ten years devoted his life to teaching, coaching, and counseling. He later left the field of education for the business world.
Kenneth and Linda, his wife of 59 years, are now retired and living in Arapaho, Oklahoma. They have 5 children; 7 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. Kenneth is also a member of the Dumas High School Hall of fame; and we are overwhelmed to now include Kenneth on our Dumas Demon Stadium “Wall of Honor.”
