THERE was no coffin.

But the large photo of Laurie Williams — mounted in front of a flower-covered urn with the remains of his cremated body amidst beautiful floral arrangements — was enough.

There were a few tears and many sombre faces but also happy memories as the cricket fraternity, family and friends said farewell to the West Indies and national cricketer, during yesterday’s thanksgiving service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, downtown Kingston.

A good all-round cricketer, who played 15 one day internationals for the West Indies and 58 first class games for Jamaica and West Indies ‘A’, Williams was also remembered as a “decent, sociable and congenial person”.

“This is an opportunity to thank almighty God for the life of Laurie Williams, he brought joy to many Jamaicans and West Indians. His achievements on and off the field were exemplary,” West Indies Cricket Board president, Wes Hall told hundreds of mourners who braved the showers associated with Hurricane Isidore.

The entire Jamaica team, former team-mates, and Barbadian cricketers Roland Holder and Philo Wallace were among those present to pay their last respects.

Williams, along with his younger brother, Kevin Jamieson died instantly after the Honda motorcar, driven by Williams got out of control, ran under a Jamaica Urban Transit Company bus and was crushed on the Portmore Causeway two Sundays ago. Police said Williams reportedly swerved to avoid a pothole in the vicinity of Gordon Cay when he lost control of the vehicle. He was 33.

“His records on the field can be broken but what cannot be broken is the indelible mark that he left on the lives of young Jamaicans. We feel very sincerely that we have lost a great son and a great ambassador. Laurie Williams was one of the greatest examples of how a cricketer should live on and off the field,” Hall noted.

Added Courtney Walsh, who captained Williams for Jamaica and West Indies: “(He was) a fine team player, a well loved person, a great all-rounder and a captain’s dream. His loss is a great loss to us.”

In their eulogy, Lydia Richards and Inez Jones remembered their cousin’s childhood as a budding cricketer.

“From a very early age he played with bat and ball made from all sorts of materials…,” they said, noting that his middle name ‘Rohan’ was inspired by his family’s admiration for the great West Indies batsman of the 1960s, Rohan Kanhai. They recalled that as he grew older he would organise cricket games among his friends and that at Marcus Garvey High School, he led the way for this school team.

Said minister of tourism and sports, Portia Simpson: “I watched him on the field of play and he was such a team player. When things seemed not to be going so well he would be urging his colleagues on… He was a gentleman on and off the field.”

Meanwhile, Jamaica Cricket Association secretary, Dianne Campbell, described Williams as a cricketer who “played his innings with grace, dignity, love and care”.

“He was a disciplined, hardworking role model,” she added.

Manager of the Jamaica cricket team, Lindel Wright broke down in tears midway through his tribute as he recalled Williams as one who “helped to make each day beautiful with his kindness and a smile on and off the field”.

“He represented his country with commitment, pride, dignity and integrity on and off the field,” Wright said. He tearfully recalled that during the recent Red Stripe Bowl limited overs competition, Williams had indicated his desire to work with young cricketers.

“Laurie was more than a special individual. He was a friend to us all,” said Raymond Smith who represented Williams’ club, Kensington Cricket Club.