Gary Williams (New Zealand cricketer)

Gary Williams
Personal information
Full name
Gary John Williams
Born(1953-03-11)11 March 1953
Dunedin, New Zealand
Died8 November 2025(2025-11-08) (aged 72)
Kohimarama Beach, Auckland, New Zealand
BattingRight-handed
RoleWicket-keeper
Relations
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1975/76–1977/78Otago
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 8
Runs scored 127
Batting average 12.70
100s/50s 1/0
Top score 60
Catches/stumpings 2/2
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 7 February 2026

Gary John Williams (11 March 1953 – 8 November 2025) was a New Zealand cricketer, table tennis player and businessman. He played eight first-class matches for Otago between the 1975–76 and 1977–78 seasons, and represented Bermuda in table tennis at the 1985 world championships

Early life

Williams was born in Dunedin on 11 March 1953, and grew up in Mosgiel.[1][2] He was educated at Otago Boys' High School, where he captained the school's 1st XV rugby union team.[2] He went on to study at the University of Otago, where he earned a degree in accountancy.[2]

In 1967 and 1968, Williams was the New Zealand under-16 boys' singles table tennis champion, and in 1968 he won the national under-18 mixed doubles table tennis title.[3]

Cricket

Williams played for the New Zealand Schools team in the early 1970s,[4] including touring Australia with the team in 1970–71, and played age-group cricket for Otago from the 1971–72 season. He went on to make his first-class debut for the representative team in December 1975 against Auckland at Carisbrook, recording a duck in the first innings and scoring nine runs in the second.[4][5]

A batsman who was considered a candidate to open the Otago innings with Ken Rutherford ahead of the first match of the following season, Williams played in six matches for Otago during 1976–77, scoring 94 runs, including his only half-century in first-class cricket.[5] The innings, against Auckland in January 1977, in which he scored 60 runs was described as "a long, stubborn knock" which almost saved the game for Otago.[6] A single match during the 1977–78 season against the New Zealand under-23 team marked the end of his first-class career.[5]

Years in Bermuda

In 1980, Williams moved to Bermuda, where he managed Kentucky Fried Chicken, and met his wife, Roseanne.[2][3] In 1985, Williams anchored the Bermuda team at the World Table Tennis Championships in Gothenburg, and later that year he led the team to its best-ever finish at the US Open team championships.[3]

Return to New Zealand

Gary and Roseanne Williams returned to New Zealand in 1987 to raise a family.[3] Their children include the comedians Guy and Paul Williams.[7]

Williams was owner/operator of two McDonald's franchises, in central Nelson and Tāhunanui.[2][8] After he retired, Williams managed the Nelson Giants basketball team.[8] He also supported basketball in Nelson as a sponsor of junior basketball, as well as Nelson College and Nelson representative teams.[8]

Williams served on the organising committee for the 2014 World Veterans Table Tennis Championship in Auckland, and went on be the chair of Table Tennis New Zealand from 2015 to 2018.[3] He also served as president of the North Shore Table Tennis Association until his death in 2025.

Horse racing

Williams was involved for many years in horse racing and had shares in both gallopers and harness horses. He had a share in the winners of over 500 races across the codes including syndicate interests in:

  • Auckland Trotting Club Syndicate Group 1 winners, Changeover, Tintin In America, Matai Mackenzie and Ideal Belle. Changeover won the 2008 New Zealand Trotting Cup.
  • Breckon Farm Syndicate Group 1 winners Luby Lou, Partyon, Tickle Me Pink, Bettor Twist, A Bettor You and High Energy.

Williams joined the Auckland Trotting Club and was a race night steward.[9]

Williams was also a part owner of top gallopers:

Death

Williams died at Kohimarama Beach in Auckland on 8 November 2025, at the age of 72, after having a heart attack during his habitual morning swim.[10][3] His funeral was held at St Igacious Church in St Heliers,[8] and his body was cremated at Purewa Crematorium.[11]

References

  1. ^ McCarron A (2010) New Zealand Cricketers 1863/64–2010, p. 140. Cardiff: The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. ISBN 978 1 905138 98 2 (Available online at the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. Retrieved 5 June 2023.)
  2. ^ a b c d e "Obituary: Gary Williams, racing identity". Otago Daily Times. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Bell, Jonathan (17 November 2025). "Gary Williams (1953–2025): sporting legend who left enduring mark". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  4. ^ a b Lively pitch may help Canterbury fast bowlers, The Press, 16 December 1976, p. 36. (Available online at Papers Past. Retrieved 23 February 2024.)
  5. ^ a b c Garry Williams, CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 July 2023. (subscription required)
  6. ^ Catch wins match for Auck, The Press, 10 January 1977, p. 22. (Available online at Papers Past. Retrieved 23 February 2024.)
  7. ^ Maher, Rachel; Williams, David (12 November 2025). "Comedian Guy Williams pays tribute to father Gary Williams after death at Kohimarama Beach". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d Gamble, Warren (14 November 2025). "Tributes for former Nelson business and sports leader Gary Williams". Stuff. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Vale Gary Williams". Harness Racing New Zealand. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  10. ^ "Gary Williams". The New Zealand Herald. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  11. ^ "Gary John Williams". Purewa. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
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