Even at the lowest point in his life, NBA coach Monty Williams exhibited true Christian values when he told around 900 mourners at his wife Ingrid's funeral that he and what remains of his family have no ill will on the family of the female driver who, like her wife, also lost her life in the road accident that occurred on Feb. 9.
According to CBN, Williams, the assistant coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, gave a powerful eulogy about God's love at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City on Thursday.
"We have no ill will toward that family," he said. "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."
Ingrid died on Feb. 10 from injuries she sustained from the Feb. 9 crash. She was 44. Williams' wife was actually with three of her children when an SUV lost control then struck her car head-on. Their three children suffered injuries, while the driver of the SUV, 52-year-old Susannah Donaldson, also lost her life.
According to authorities, Donaldson was driving at 92 mph when her SUV struck the car being driven by Ingrid, which was travelling at 40 mph.
Williams urged friends and family members to turn to God's love and goodness whenever they are feeling down. "During times like this it's easy to forget that because what we've gone through is pretty tough and it's hard and we want an answer and we don't always get that answer when we want it," he said. "But we can't lose sight of the fact that God loves us."
He then praised Ingrid's faith in God and said that "she fit me perfectly." They have been married for 20 years and wrote the book "Look Again 52" together. Their five children are Lael, Faith, Janna, Elijah, and Micah.
Among those at the funeral were fellow NBA coaches Doc Rivers, Gregg Popovich and Alvin Gentry, and players Chris Paul and Austin Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers; David West of the San Antonio Spurs; Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon of the New Orleans Pelicans; and the entire Thunder organisation.
"I'm thankful for all the people who showed up today," Williams said. "It's a pretty tough time, not just for me but for all of you as well. I'm mindful of that.
"This is hard for my family, but this will work out. And my wife would punch me if I were to sit up here and whine about what is going on. That doesn't take away the pain, but it will work out because God causes all things to work out. You just can't quit; you can't give in," ESPN quoted Williams as saying.
