Willie James Austin
January 29, 1958 - April 24, 2013
Obituary
A native of West Memphis, Arkansas, Willie Austin first joined the greater Seattle community in 1980 when he came to play football for the University of Washington. Following his career as a defensive back for the Huskies, Willie chose to remain in the Pacific Northwest and continue pursuing his love of health and fitness. He began focusing on strength training, and by 1990 was the World Drug Free Powerlifting Champion.
Willie is a well-respected strength coach and personal trainer whose has coached national and world champion weightlifters and trained both amateur and professional athletes. He has worked as a trainer at the downtown YMCA and as manager of the West Seattle health club. In 1988 Willie founded the Gym of Seattle, and in 1992 he founded the Gateway Athletic Club. Willie’s latest health club venture, the Now Is Fitness Center in downtown Seattle, opened doors in 2004.
Willie first began giving back to the community by serving as a guest speaker on physical fitness and drug-free living. During his on-campus presentations at area schools in 1990s, Willie began to recognize the growing need for accessible youth fitness programs. He saw first hand youth struggling with diabetes, obesity, and asthma, many of whom weren’t comfortable in regular gym class settings. He saw kids who couldn’t afford the cost of athletic programs or didn’t have safe access to physical fitness activities.
Inspired to make a difference, Willie persuaded the Gateway Athletic Club to donate time and space to youth programming and in 1994 started the first Youth & Fitness program to provide area youth with free health education and fitness training. In 1997 Willie and co-founder Ros Ghan created the Austin Foundation to continue and expand the program’s commitment to the wellbeing and development of area youth.
In addition to his work with the Austin Foundation, Willie has served as an instructor and coach for the Washington State Special Olympics and as a consultant for the Seattle Public Schools Physical Education department. In 1998 the Seattle Times recognized Willie’s contribution to the community by listing him as one of “20 Northwest people who have made a difference”, and he was named the 2008 Washington State Mindful Mentor Award by the Guiding Lights Network.
Willie you will be missed by so many people. I remember when you took on youth in detention and worked your “magic” with them. I still see some of those kids who are now adults and they remembered what you told them about self respect and respect for others.You never said no when I asked you to participate at numerous community health events. My heart goes out to your family, your wife Vanisha, and the many people whose lives you’ve touched. I know you are resting in peace and your legacy will live on.
Willie, I will miss you so much. You have been a great partner in improving the health and lives of the youth of our communities. You have been an inspiration to me and so many others with your compassion, your dedication, your optimism, your abilty to connect people. I k now your memory will inspire us to keep up the good work that you have done.
Dear Willie i still cannot believe that you are gone, you were such a caring, warm and great man that you will never be forgotten for you by me, my family and the community to which you made a big impact with all your help and greatness. i know that you sudden death has had a huge impact in my brother, but we all are going to try our best to keep your legacy and your work alive, because that is the way that you will always be in our lives. But you will always be alive in our
Willie,
I did not know you but knew of your positive impact on the youth in the Seattle area. You filled a void and set an example of how our youth can grow up healthy and be proud contributors to society.
RIP.
Dear Vanisha, Family and Friends of the Late Willie Austin and to the Foundation family and friends that will keep his memories alive.Gone way to soon in our minds but right on time with God’s plan for his life. Willie, was a true servant leader. He was willing to give and guide unselfishly of himself. He served with me on the Washington Health Foundation, The Northwest Kidney Centers Board and provided us our first fitness workout when Senator Franklin crafted legislation to create the now 8th year Governor’s Interagency Council on Reducing Health Care Disparities, So it was all to fitting to stand at his Rainier Comm Center memorial and to be led in a fitness exercise by his legacy health and fitness servant leaders. Personally, Willie was the mentor to my 40y/o Son who has because of Willie’s influence and guidance become another Lil Willie– who guides troubled youth and incorporates health and fitness into their spirit and routines. Willie also hired all of my grandchildren Jazzmine, Deon and D’Von in the summers to help coach the younger children ( after they did their workouts). He was a giant in our community and I personally have a great investment in helping to keep this valuable life’s work and gift of love— going in our underserved communities. Commissioner, Winona Hollins Hauge, Rep for the Governor’s Interagency Council. Much Love–Vanisha and your little Austin!
I came to know Willie through an individual name Kevin King-otherwise known as “K-Dog”. Kevin was a mentor of mine, and was also a close associate of Mr. Austin’s. This was during my early days of weight training and conditioning at “The Gym of Seattle”-which was located in the shadow of the Seattle Center.
As I became an Educator, Mr. Austin was a familiar figure within Seattle Public Schools-where he mentored a host of young people. I even had the honor of referring some of my students to him as well. Their interest in weight-training and conditioning was uniquely molded by none other than Willie. Though to me, Willie was always down to earth and never neglected helping others and keeping it real.
That’s a quality which will be greatly missed.
Sleep well, my friend……
Respectfully,
Daniel E. Westley
Their was no nicer more genuine person that walked the planet ( Earth ) with a deep divine knowledge of his planet ,,its people ,,and things beyond normal human comprehension easily explained by Willie…..we will all see him again so there is no need to be sad at this time…..I know he is very happy to finally see “THE FATHER” AFTER ALL THIS TIME………