Bill Williams

2026 Honouree – Builder, Boxing

Bill Williams began his boxing journey in 1961 at age 11, competing in his first amateur bout on an army base in Germany. After returning to Canada, he resumed boxing in 1967 at Camp Borden and, following his move to Brantford in 1968, trained under Coach Frank Bricker at the Branch 90 Legion.

In 1971, Williams won the Welterweight title at the OBA Provincial Championships and was named Boxer of the Year. From 1971 to 1974, he competed across Detroit, Buffalo, Toronto, and Brantford, compiling a strong amateur record of 25 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws.

Williams began coaching in 1980 as a volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club of Brantford. He went on to establish several not-for-profit boxing clubs in the city, dedicated to making the sport accessible while teaching discipline and fundamentals to youth and young adults.

Over his coaching career, Wiliams has developed nine amateur fighters into professionals, including two Canadian champions. His commitment to grassroots boxing has had a lasting impact on the Brantford community.

He has also been instrumental in organizing community-focused boxing events, including the Summerhays Boxing Tournament, Friday Night Fights Under the Lights, Punch out Parkinsons, and the annual Punch out Cancer event to raise awareness. Bill Williams’ lifelong dedication to boxing continues to shape and inspire the sport at the local level in Brantford.