Williams Heads List Of Hall Inductees Seven To Be Enshrined At October Event

William “Bill” Williams, retired chief justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, is one of seven new inductees to the Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame.

Williams was a champion boxer and all-star quarterback at Idaho, leading the Vandals to a 19-16 victory over Stanford in 1947.

Induction ceremonies will be held during a noon luncheon Oct. 22 at the Ridpath Hotel.

The other new inductees are Washington State University world-record distance runner Henry Rono; former Idaho basketball coach and Coeur d’Alene native Don Monson; former Shadle Park High School and Gonzaga Prep basketball coach Dave Robertson; Spokane Youth Sports Association founder Dwight Merkel; retired Shadle Park gymnastics and wrestling coach Lyle Pugh and Spokane football referee and basketball official John Presley.

In addition, two names will be added to the Scroll of Honor: sports writer Charlie Van Sickel of the Spokane Chronicle and Tri-City Herald and Spokane tennis champion Les Patten.

Merkel, Presley and Van Sickel are deceased.

Jon Heimbigner, Hall of Fame chairman for the Greater Spokane Sports Association, said tickets for the luncheon, priced at $13, are available through the GSSA office by phoning 456-5812.

The GSSA sponsors the Hall of Fame. Photos, plaques and memorabilia of all Hall of Fame members are displayed at the Spokane Arena.

, DataTimes