Damian Williams

Damian Williams
June 24, 1971 – June 12, 2024

Robert Damian Williams, age 52, passed away on June 12, 2024, in Salem, Oregon, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Damian was born on June 24, 1971, in Cranston, RI, to Robert James Williams and Anna Elizabeth Pearson. Damian grew up in North Highlands, CA, and graduated from Center High School where he was a star football and baseball player. Damian took classes at American River and Sac State before moving to Seattle, Washington to attend Seattle Pacific University, where he graduated with a degree in Sports Management. In 2013, Damian earned his master’s degree in Coaching & Athletic Administration, and he was working on his PhD.

Damian loved every job he ever had. His first job out of college was at the Kingdome in Seattle doing event management. He was also the volunteer assistant softball coach at UW and then head softball coach at Shoreline CC. Damian decided to pursue coaching full time when he was offered his dream job, head softball coach at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Damian was Willamette’s first Black head coach, and he is the winningest coach in Willamette’s history. Damian filled dozens of additional roles during his 21 years at Willamette, and he took a sabbatical during the 2015 season to coach the Oregon Ducks. That year, Oregon won the Pac 12 championship, was named Coaching Staff of the Year, and went on to the Women’s College World Series. Damian also coached softball teams in international competitions in England, Australia, and South Africa, and he trained athletes in Costa Rica and Samoa. In 2020, Damian began working in sports tourism and joined Travel Salem and then Sport Oregon, bringing many sporting events to the state. However, Damian missed teaching, and in 2022, he was thrilled to be hired as an Assistant Professor at Linfield University in the School of Business. Damian loved connecting the classroom to real world experiences, and he took a group of students to Paris in January where they studied the economic impact of this summer’s Olympic Games. Last month, Damian was honored with the R.J. McIntyre Distinguished Professor Award. And Damian never stopped coaching; he loved coaching his son’s West Salem baseball, flag football, and 7 on 7 teams.

Damian’s superpower is relationships. He loved checking in with old friends and meeting new ones. He loved hearing your story, your passion, your purpose, and encouraging you along your journey. Damian was a mentor and best friend to so many. He had big plans and big dreams and never stopped believing that he could overcome any challenge or obstacle. He spent a lifetime doing just that, and there was so much more he wanted to do.

Damian’s deepest love and strength was for his family. He loved to bring his son to the ball field or sporting event or on campus. He thanked God every day for the blessing of being Everson’s dad. He loved traveling the world and everyday adventures and bike rides. And he was the most loving and patient and beautiful husband. He was my everything: my partner, my love, my best friend, my soulmate.

Damian is survived by his wife of 20 years, Genesis, his son, Everson, and the hundreds of students whose lives he impacted. His legacy will live on through them. He is survived by his mother, Anna Cahill (m. Tim Cahill), and his sisters, Ina-Robin Williams and Ilena Williams. He was preceded in death by Robert Williams and his brother, Alfred “Andy” Williams.

The memorial service will be at Willamette University’s Cone Field House on Sunday, June 30th at 1:00 pm.