Darryl Williams was an original inductee into the AFL Umpires Association Hall of Fame for outstanding service as member of various association committees but his contribution to umpiring generally covered every aspect of the game.
Born on in Newport on 30 July 1937 Darryl grew up there and later in Elsternwick. As player he was with Footscray Technical School Old Boys and Williamstown in the VFA where he played in the seconds and thirds.
He spent four years with the VFL Reserve Grade after joining them in 1959 securing promotion to the VFL senior list for the 1963 season.
After six seasons of touring the country leagues he umpired his first final at in 1968 at Ouyen and his first grand final a year later at the same ground. He was clearly a Mallee Football League favourite as he backed up with the 1970 grand final and the 1971 preliminary final. His second last game on the senior list was the 1977 Mallee Football League Preliminary Final. In the intervening years he was a regular finals umpire particularly in the much sought after ‘outside’ leagues that used VFL umpires only for their finals series. There were two more premiership deciders, the 1974 Alberton League and his final match the 1977 Southern Mallee Grand Final.
The VFL Reserve Grade level proved elusive until a single match in 1973 and a pair in 1975.
Between 1963 and 1977 Darryl amassed an impressive 274 VCFL (including 23 finals) and 3 VFL Reserve Grade matches.
Immediately after retiring from the field Darryl took up an observing role with the VFL. He observed country umpires from 1978-80 and was then a city observer for six seasons from 1980-85.
In his time as an umpire Darryl’s service to the VFLUA was extensive. First elected to the Social Committee in 1970 he served three years until taking on the social secretary role 1974-76. During his final year he was a member of the Executive Committee bringing his executive service to eight years. His 1973 VFLUA life membership was augmented with a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award in 1975.
In retirement Darryl maintained his umpiring connections, particularly with a number of his contemporaries who retired to the Yarrawonga region, and was a regular attendee at association functions.
Darryl Williams passed away on 29 March 2015.