ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida leaders, sports personalities, family and friends turned out Friday to say their final goodbyes Friday to the man who played a critical role in bringing the Magic and the NBA to Orlando, co-founder Pat Williams.

A remembrance service to celebrate his life was held at First Baptist Church on South John Young Parkway.

Williams died July 17 from complications related to viral pneumonia. He was 84.

People who could not attend the service in person could watch the service on a live stream. 

Before getting involved in starting the process of bringing an NBA team to Orlando, Williams started his NBA career as business manager of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1968, then had stints as general manager of the Chicago Bulls, the Atlanta Hawks and the 76ers — helping the franchise win a title in 1983.

That gave him standing with the NBA commissioner's office when Orlando sought to attract an NBA team as it planned to expand. The league’s board of governors granted Orlando an expansion franchise in 1987, and the team began play in 1989.

Since Orlando Magic Chairman Dan DeVos and Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins expressed their appreciation for Williams and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver paid tribute to Williams in statements last week, some players who he helped bring to town also shared how much he affected their lives.

As the man in charge of personnel decisions for the Magic in the early years, Williams made forward Nick Anderson the first draft pick in Orlando history, No. 11 overall in 1989.  Anderson, who still works with Orlando as a community ambassador, said the loss of Williams is painful.

On Instagram, Anderson posted the following message:

"I'm totally devastated. This is a sad day for Basketball and for Orlando. My kids asked, 'Why you crying, Daddy?' and I told them 'Because I lost my father for the second time.' The last time I felt this tore up was when my father past (sic) away. And now my basketball father Pat Williams has gone to join my dad in Heaven.

"Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that a young kid from the streets of Chicago would get picked to be the very first player ever in the history of an NBA team. Pat Williams made that happen. First, he willed the Orlando Magic into existence. And then when it came time to fill the roster in this dream he made come true, he had the opportunity to choose from hundreds of talented young players, and he picked me, changing the trajectory of my entire life from then till now."

Williams also drafted sharpshooter Dennis Scott No. 4 overall in 1990, and Scott said Williams changed his life forever, not only his basketball life but helping him achieve his career in sports broadcasting.

He even touched the lives of Orlando's current players, like forward Jonathan Isaac.