James Alwood Williams, who was a terrific athlete during his days at Andrew Lewis High School, passed away on June 16. Richard Browder, who ran for Lewis and coached teams at Andrew Lewis High, Salem High and Roanoke College, remembers Alwood’s days running for the Wolverines.
“Alwood was one of the most outstanding runners ever to compete for Andrew Lewis High School,” said Browder. “Coached by the legendary Ray Bussard, Alwood won both hurdle events at the State Championship Meet in Williamsburg in 1959 to lead Andrew Lewis to the State 1A(big school) Championship. Alwood also won many sprint races and ran on many winning sprint relay teams. He once competed in a State Championship Meet wearing a full-length arm cast, and almost won. His track accomplishments are legendary.”
Alwood was a member and former deacon of Bethel Baptist Church in Salem. He retired from Norfolk and Western/Norfolk Southern as a conductor and leaves behind his wife, Barbara, and an extended family, many of whom reside in Salem and the Roanoke Valley.
