AUBURN, Ala. – Rev. Chette Williams, Auburn football’s team chaplain for 26 seasons, passed away Sunday in an accident at Lake Martin at the age of 61.
Known affectionately as Brother Chette, Williams served as Auburn football’s team chaplain since 1999, completing his 26th season in 2024.
A former Auburn linebacker from 1982-84, Williams helped the Tigers win three bowl games, including the 1984 Sugar Bowl to cap the 1983 SEC championship season.
Williams was licensed as a minister in 1987 and ordained in 1988. He received a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in Adult Education in 1985, and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1993.
Before returning to Auburn, Williams served as the former president of IMPACT Ministries in Spartanburg, South Carolina, from 1995-99 after pastoring New Covenant Baptist Church in New Orleans from 1993-95 and co-pastoring New Song Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, from 1991-93.
Williams authored two books, “Hard Fighting Soldier: Finding God in Trials, Tragedies, and Triumphs” in 2007, and “The Broken Road: Finding God’s Strength and Grace on a Journey of Faith” in 2013.
In addition to serving as Auburn football’s chaplain, Williams was also the Auburn campus director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the state director for Urban Ministries for FCA.
Williams is survived by his daughters, Lauren and Caitlyn. His son, Chette Jr., preceded him in death in 2019.
