From his bed in The Queen’s Medical Center, John “Tanoitiaola” Williams watched the telecast of the University of Hawaii football team’s season-opening victory over Colorado on Thursday.
For more than a dozen years, he rarely missed a game involving his grandsons — Lance Keke Williams and Manly “Pumba” Williams.
“He was our No. 1 fan,” said Lance Williams, a starting linebacker and UH co-captain. Pumba Williams recently underwent a medical procedure and is expected to redshirt as a freshman this season.
On Saturday, the elder Williams died after a lengthy illness.
“The Lord said it was time for him to go,” Lance Williams said after Monday’s practice. “He was always there for me and my brother. He was the one who always supported us in sports and school.”
The elder Williams was a high chief in Western Samoa, where he was bestowed the name “Tanoitiaola.”
But after he became ill in 2003, he and his two grandsons moved to Hawaii. Lance and Pumba were raised in Kuhio Park Terrace.
“He took care of us as a father figure,” Lance said. “He provided for the family. He always put everyone before himself.”
The man known to neighbors as Uncle Tanoi introduced his grandsons to football. He implored them to be humble when they did well, and hopeful when they struggled.
“He wasn’t the kind of person who would yell,” Lance said. “He was very soft-spoken.”
The elder Williams drove the boys to practices, often staying to watch. Afterward, Lance said, smiling, “if we were hungry, he would take us to McDonald’s.”
During the drives, he would repeat the same message: “Stay humble, work hard for your team, and work hard for your family.”
He had wanted to attend last week’s game at Aloha Stadium.
“He was really sick,” Lance said. “Right after the game, we saw him. He was always proud of me. He was the main guy. He was the No. 1 supporter.”
The elder Williams was looking forward to Dec. 20. That is the day of UH’s commencement ceremony, when Lance is scheduled to receive his bachelor’s degree.
“He was looking forward to that,” Lance said. “I was going to be his first grandson to graduate from college. He always wanted me to do that. He always said education is important.”
Lance said his grandfather was equally proud when he was named a co-captain.
“I’m going to play the rest of the season for him,” Lance said. “I’m going to put my heart out for that guy. … I play for my teammates. I love my teammates. I love my family. I love the guy who raised me. I’m going to do my best for him.”
