Gary Williams

Gary John Williams (11 March 1953 – 8 November 2025) was a New Zealand cricketer, table tennis player and businessman. He played eight first-class matches for Otago between the 1975–76 and 1977–78 seasons, and represented Bermuda in table tennis at the 1985 world championships.

Early life Williams was born in Dunedin on 11 March 1953, and grew up in Mosgiel. He went on to study at the University of Otago, where he earned a degree in accountancy. including touring Australia with the team in 1970–71, and played age-group cricket for Otago from the 1971–72 season. He went on to make his first-class debut for the representative team in December 1975 against Auckland at Carisbrook, recording a duck in the first innings and scoring nine runs in the second.

A batsman who was considered a candidate to open the Otago innings with Ken Rutherford ahead of the first match of the following season, Williams played in six matches for Otago during 1976–77, scoring 94 runs, including his only half-century in first-class cricket. A single match during the 1977–78 season against the New Zealand under-23 team marked the end of his first-class career.

Williams was owner/operator of two McDonald's franchises, in central Nelson and Tāhunanui. He also supported basketball in Nelson as a sponsor of junior basketball, as well as Nelson College and Nelson representative teams.

Williams was also a part owner of top gallopers: Xcellent, winner of four Group 1 races including the New Zealand Derby and Kelt Capital Stakes as well as placing 3rd in the 2005 Melbourne Cup. Pasta Post, winner of the Easter Handicap and City of Auckland Cup with Pasta Post Leaderboard, winner of the Wellington Cup and the Grand National Steeplechase in Australia.

Death Williams died at Kohimarama Beach in Auckland on 8 November 2025, at the age of 72, after having a heart attack during his habitual morning swim. His funeral was held at St Ignatius Catholic Church in St Heliers,