Williams, who died July 17 at the age of 84, was known as the “godfather of Orlando basketball.”
He brought the Magic to life in 1988 when they became the latest expansion franchise in the NBA.
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Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams died Wednesday evening. He was 84. (WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams. Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams.
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat William - 1940-2024 LOCAL
Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams passes away at 84
Obit Pat Williams Basketball FILE - Orlando Magic senior vice president Pat Williams chats with media about the upcoming NBA draft, May 21, 2004 in Orlando, Fla. Williams, a co-founder of the Orlando Magic and someone who spent more than a half-century working within the NBA, died Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from complications related to viral pneumonia, the team announced. (AP Photo/Peter Cosgrove, File) (PETER COSGROVE/AP)
Obit Pat Williams Basketball FILE - Orlando Magic President and General manager Pat Williams grins while holding up a jersey bearing the name O'Neal and the number 1, at the NBA draft lottery in Secaucus, N.J. May 17, 1992. Williams, a co-founder of the Orlando Magic and someone who spent more than a half-century working within the NBA, died Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from complications related to viral pneumonia, the team announced. (AP photo/Bill Kostroun, File) (BILL KOSTROUN/AP)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams passed away at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams passed away at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams passed away at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams passed away at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)
Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams passed away at 84. (WFTV)
More than just bringing the Magic to Orlando, Williams was a great family man as he had 19 children, 14 of which were adopted from four different countries.
From Magic ownership, to former players, to his own family, all who spoke at the service gave a heartwarming tribute to Williams.
“We won the lottery when you picked us. Dad, you were everywhere, always there reading a book, but always at our games saying ‘atta boy, got get ‘em,’” Peter Williams, son of Pat.
