Longtime Auburn football pastor dies in accident on Alabama lake

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. – The Auburn University football community mourns the loss of its longtime pastor, the Rev. Chette L. Williams, who tragically passed away on Sunday after falling into the waters of Lake Martin in central Alabama.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the accident occurred when Williams fell off his pontoon boat near a dock close to the Kowaliga Restaurant in Elmore County on Sunday evening. Authorities recovered his body approximately 90 minutes later. Williams was 61 years old at the time of his passing.

A beloved figure within Auburn athletics, Williams served as the team chaplain since 1999, offering spiritual guidance and mentorship to countless players over the years. Beyond his work with the football team, he held leadership roles with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), acting as both the campus director at Auburn University and the State Director for Urban Ministries under the FCA banner.

Before becoming a spiritual leader, Williams was an athlete himself, playing as a linebacker for Auburn’s football team from 1982 to 1984. His connection to the university extended well beyond the field, as he became a source of support and inspiration to players and staff alike.

Former Auburn head coach and current U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, who worked alongside Williams during his tenure as coach from 1999 to 2008, reflected on the profound impact Williams had on the Auburn community.

“Chette Williams was an extraordinary man who guided hundreds of young people toward faith throughout his life,” Tuberville shared in a heartfelt statement on social media. “For over two decades, his leadership was a constant presence in Auburn athletics. But more importantly, Brother Chette helped athletes see that their purpose in life extended far beyond what they could achieve on the football field.”

Williams’s legacy is deeply tied to his ability to connect with people on a personal level, fostering spiritual growth and helping athletes navigate the challenges of life, both on and off the field. His unwavering commitment to Auburn’s student-athletes, coupled with his work in ministry, left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.