Monty Williams delivers wife’s eulogy, forgives woman who killed her in wrong-way crash

The assistant coach of Oklahoma City Thunder Monty Williams has paid an emotional tribute to his wife and says he forgives the driver who killed her during a fatal car crash.

Ingrid Williams, 44, was critically injured after an oncoming car crossed the center line and hit her SUV just outside of downtown Oklahoma City last Tuesday night, while three of her children were in the back.

She was taken to OU Medical Center but she succumbed to her injuries the next day.

The woman who hit her, Susannah Donaldson, 55, died at the scene, along with her dog, who was riding in her lap.

Yesterday, more than 900 people, including NBA players and coaches attended a memorial at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City to pay their last respects to Mrs Williams.

During the service, Mr Williams took to the lectern to deliver an emotional eulogy to his wife.

And as well as paying tribute to the mother-of-five and asking the congregation to keep her in their prayers, he also said he forgave the woman who caued the fatal crash.

Standing in front of a slideshow of family photos, he explained: ‘I want to close with this, and I think it’s the most important thing we need to understand.

‘Everyone is praying for me and my family, which is right, but let us not forget that there were two people in this situation. And that family needs prayer as well, and we have no ill will towards that family.

‘In my house, we have a sign that says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” We cannot serve the Lord if we don’t have a heart of forgiveness.

‘That family didn’t wake up wanting to hurt my wife. Life is hard. It is very hard, and that was tough, but we hold no ill will toward the Donaldson family.

‘And we, as a group, brothers united in unity, should be praying for that family, because they grieve as well. So let’s not lose sight of what’s important.’

And after the memorial, Thunder coach Erik Horne, thanked everyone who had supported Mr Williams and the team.

He told the Oklahoman: ‘It just shows what kind of guy Monty is, what kind of person Ingrid is, and the impact they made with different organizations and different coaches’ lives.

‘In talking to Monty, the one thing that’s really humbled him is the outpouring of support, and the amount of people that have reached out to him and his family.’

Mr Williams is a retired NBA player who played for nine seasons, including for the New York Knicks, the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers before knee problems forced him to retire in 2003.

Williams joined Oklahoma City’s staff this season after serving as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans for five years.

He married wife Ingrid in 1995 and they have three daughters and two sons.

In a statement, the Pelicans said: ‘The New Orleans Pelicans are devastated to hear the news of Ingrid Williams’ passing.

‘Ingrid was beloved by the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community and will forever be remembered as one of the most generous, kind and humble individuals we’ve ever known.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Monty Williams and his family during this difficult time.’

Source: The DailyMail