Longtime Pocahontas football coach Dave Williams died late Tuesday night at the age of 70, according to multiple reports.
Williams had been battling liver cancer and wasn't able to coach the team twice this season after undergoing surgery for an irregular heartbeat. He was Pocahontas' head coach since 1981 but announced earlier this year he would retire at the season's end.
The Redskins went 206-143-3 in 33 years under Williams, including 5-5 this season. Pocahontas is scheduled to play at Lonoke Friday night in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Several coaches from across the state took to Twitter early Wednesday to share their condolences and memories of Williams.
Wrote Nashville coach Bill Dawson, "Coaches often talk about impact players , but Dave Williams was an impact person, guiding, loving and leading thousands…."
Added Stuttgart coach Billy Elmore: "I can not get the passing of Dave Williams out of my head. How many lives he made better. How many boys turned to men."
Auburn University running backs coach Tim Horton, a former University of Arkansas assistant, also shared his condolences.
"Prayers are w/the family of Coach Dave Williams and the Pocahontas, AR community who lost a great leader/man last night. A life well lived!" Horton wrote.