Kenny Williamson, born August 19, 1947, was called home on November 13, 2012. A native of Harlem, N.Y., Williamson, served in the United States Air Force in Vietnam, and later graduated from City College of New York City. His coaching career began in Harlem at Intercession and Riverside Churches. Williamson was a well-known fixture at historic Rucker Park in Harlem and was featured in the television basketball documentary “Hallowed Ground,” as well as an NBA-produced film on the Entertainers Basketball Classic in Rucker Park. He spent 21 years as an assistant coach in the collegiate ranks, including stints with legends Lou Carnesecca, Denny Crum and Jim Valvano. Williamson served as an assistant coach at St. John’s, Seton Hall, Columbia and Louisville and was associate head coach at Iona and Florida State under Pat Kennedy. During his college coaching tenure, he worked with numerous future NBA players including Sam Cassell, Doug Edwards, Pervis Ellison, Adrian Griffin, George Johnson, Jeff Ruland, Felton Spencer, Bob Sura, Irving Thomas and Charlie Ward. Williamson worked six seasons (1997-03) as a scout for the New York Knicks before joining the Charlotte Bobcats where he lead the club’s scouting of college and high school prospects while assisting with the team’s international scouting efforts. He also aided in the team’s preparations for the 2004 Expansion Draft and NBA Draft. A respected and well-connected member of the basketball community with over 30 years of basketball experience, had just entered his sixth season with the Memphis Grizzlies serving as Assistant General Manager. Known affectionately in basketball circles as “Eggman”, Williams is survived by his wife, Nicole; his parents, Beatrice Franklin and John Shavuo; three daughters Kim Williamson, Monica Williamson, and Kendra Williamson; two sons Rashad Jones and Dwayne Jones; one brother Gerald Franklin and his wife Sharon; four grandchildren, Reenah Glover, Rory Glover, William Stephens, and Rashad Jones, Jr.; and one god-child Ajmal Basit. The family will receive friends this evening from five o’clock until seven o’clock at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 7289 Highway 64, Memphis, TN 38133. The funeral service will be in the sanctuary of the church on Saturday, the fifteenth of November with Reverend Donald Johnson officiating. Online condolences and floral tributes may be sent to the family at www.memphisfuneralhome.net
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