Farewell Ambassador Keylee

The temperature registered 36 degrees at 2.00 p.m as the Hon. Laverne Gibson wrapped up the Eulogy to her cousin, the last of a string of tributes which began at 10.30 at Independence Park on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

The man being eulogized was an officially honoured National Sports Ambassador who was never given to fuss, he was just Keylee. Keylee from New Montrose; Keylee from St Martin’s Secondary; just Keylee.

His parents named him Karl Woodrow Vincent Williams and even though he towered in stature, like his dad, continuing a family trait, he was always one with a kind, quiet demeanour, a man who did not raise his voice.

These traits were echoed by those who paid tribute to him, each violating the three minute rule which the officiating pastor attempted to impose. One sympathized with the violations. When such a man, a person who impacted so many sporting and cultural disciplines dies suddenly, all want to extol the love and respect they had for him.

Such were the tributes which came from sporting figures who gave testimony. Khalil Cato, himself a colleague and coach, spoke of Keylee having predicted that his son would have been better at the triple jump than at the high jump he had been pursuing up until then. A tearful Mr Chin who had worked with the fallen athlete after arriving here from Guyana to teach sports and much later moving on to Anguilla from where he flew in especially to pay tribute, spoke of the impact Keylee had on his life. Lt. Tyrone James of Team Athletics SVG recalled their exploits and victories together at the St Martin’s Secondary School over their main rivals the Boys Grammar School.

It did seem that the tributes would go on forever; yes it does get like that when such outstanding personalities exit the scene suddenly.

There were planned tributes from, the Auxiliary Police Force, National Olympics Association, the Netball Association, National Society of Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Sports, Nelson Bloc, SAMPASA (North America) and the Starlift Steel Orchestra, which rendered two moving pieces.

Then there was the tearjerker from his niece Doris Dublin Prescott, then long time Montrosean Jean Johnney- Findlay. It is mind blowing to contemplate where Keylee found the time to devote attention to so many disparate causes. But such was the man.

Cousin Laverne acknowledged the tributes which had come before her, but spoke of the man who kept the entire Williams clan together in her moving eulogy which retraced their childhoods in New Montrose, Jaycees Playground at Stoney Ground, and the very Park where his farewell ceremony was being held. Such a fitting send off.

Bishop Stephen Ollivierre took charge of the Word and then a prayer for the family before Sporting Ambassador Woodrow Williams was carried through the streets he walked his entire life to his resting place at the Kingstown Cemetery to the strains of the Police Band. (Contributed)