Former Foundation Head, 79, Dies of Stroke

"The University of North Carolina had no better friend nor greater ambassador than Ernie Williamson," said Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. "Thousands of student-athletes over the past five decades were given an opportunity for a great education and a chance to compete in intercollegiate athletics due to his tireless efforts leading the Educational Foundation.

"Our Tar Heel family will deeply miss Ernie and his friendship."

Williamson, a native of Crewe, Va., played football at North Carolina in 1946 and headed the Educational Foundation from 1957-1986.

A lineman, Williamson was a teammate of Tar Heel halfback Charlie Justice when UNC posted an 8-2-1 record, won the Southern Conference title and played Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day.

Williamson began his professional football career after just one year at UNC, but that career ended prematurely because of a knee injury. He played pro football with the NFL's Washington Redskins and the All-America Conference's Los Angeles Dons.

Williamson earned an undergraduate degree from North Carolina in 1951 and a master's from UNC a year later. He then became an assistant football, track and wrestling coach at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. He served as an assistant football coach for two years and was head coach from 1954-56.

In 1957, Williamson returned to UNC to lead the Educational Foundation, a non-profit foundation that raises money for scholarships for student-athletes. He led the organization for three decades and remained as director of the endowment and consultant for many years after stepping down as its director in December 1986.

"Ernie was one of the nicest people I have ever known," said Moyer Smith, who succeeded Williamson as executive director of the Foundation. "He could walk into a meeting with a five-dollar UNC ash tray and walk out with a $5,000 donation.

"He was just such a genuinely good, honest, friendly person who never met a stranger. Obviously, he loved the University so much, and that just came through any time he met someone."

Prior to coming to UNC in 1946, Williamson enlisted in the Navy and became a member of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station service team where he played for Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown. He served in the South Pacific during World War II.

Asked in 1973 why he did what he did for a living, Williamson answered: "I love this University, and I believe all (Educational Foundation) members do. In the course of my many years here I've been offered twice as much salary to go elsewhere.

"But we weren't put on this earth to do things just for money. You know, it took a world war for me and my three brothers to realize the need for a college education. A lot of youngsters today need athletics to get that same education.

"If it hadn't been for the war and getting out and seeing places and meeting people," Williamson said, "I'd still be up on that farm in Virginia."

At an awards ceremony in 1986, then-UNC athletic director John Swofford said: "Buildings have been built here because of his excellence and thousands of young people have had the opportunity for an education because of him.

"He's done all of this with grace, dignity and good humor," Swoffor said. "Ernie has walked with kings but never lost the common touch. He is one of those rare individuals who is both respected and loved."

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elva Smith Williamson; son, Wayne, and his wife, Sarah; and daughter, Carole, all of Chapel Hill.

He is also survived by his three brothers, three sisters and two grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service on Monday, March 11, at 3 p.m. at the Dean E. Smith Center. The service is open to the public.