"He got me my first trials, and then I played for the school team, the boys' team," explained the former Marine Park Primary School pupil. "He's always been very supportive and a big impact, so I thought it'd be quite nice to share another milestone with him."
Stokes, now 34 years old and one of England's most decorated defenders following ten trophy-laden campaigns with Manchester City Women, is about to embark upon her third season on Tyneside after agreeing to extend her stay with Tanya Oxtoby's team.
"It's a really proud moment," said Mr Williamson as Stokes signed her deal. "I've seen Demi literally from kicking her first ball and I've been able to follow her career through, and to see her play for Newcastle is just a marvellous thing.
"It's a great reward for her because she's one of the nicest people I've ever met, a really good person, and to have this sort of honour bestowed upon her is just fantastic.
"My first recollection of Demi was on a school playground; she had a raggy old football she was kicking around. She passed me the football and I passed her the football back.
"I did school football, and I brought Demi along with the school football squad. She was the first female to play school football for Marine Park. She soon became our school captain. She was also the first girl to represent South Tyneside under-11s. Opportunities at that time were so difficult - there weren't the avenues to pursue for girls in football at that stage, but I helped Demi make those progressions through the age groups - but she managed to do a lot on her own!
"I started Demi on the left wing, where she was a free-scoring winger - she doesn't get too many now! She even scored one or two with her right foot," he laughed. "But by the time she got to year six, it was a case of, 'just go where you want, Demi.'"
Stokes added: "When I look back, I didn't know any different, but you had the comments; 'oh, she's a girl' and stuff. It was an all-boys' team, we used to play school teams and I'd get laughed at, but Ian was always really supportive and encouraging.
"He is someone that I ring up and it's nice to get perspective from someone that's not in your job role; when you speak to people outside your bubble, you get different opinions and I think that's important growing up.
"That's why I wanted him to come today; it's almost, I guess, a full circle moment. He's a Newcastle fan and it's nice to share those times with people who deserve it."
It was Mr Williamson who arranged a trial for Stokes with Sunderland 24/7 - an all-girls' side in an all-boys' league - before she went on to play for Boldon Girls, then joined Sunderland Women before she accepted a four-year scholarship with the University of South Florida in 2011.
"When Demi returned to England, she called me up and we had a chat," recalled Mr Williamson. "I vividly remember Demi had offers from Man City and Arsenal, and she was talking over which was the best one to choose. At the time, Arsenal were the women's club, and I remember saying, 'Demi, I think you should probably sign for Arsenal, the history's there.'
"Next thing, she signed for Man City! She still knows her own mind and she made the right decision; she ignored me totally, and signed for City where, of course, she won every major honour domestically in the game."
Stokes won the league title and Continental Cup during her first full season at City, going on to lift seven major honours with the club during ten seasons there, as well as the UEFA Women's Championship with her country in 2022.
Then, in the summer of 2024, she joined Newcastle United - newly-promoted to the second tier of the women's game.
"When I signed here, it was a big project," she explained. "It was exciting, it was ambitious, and I still think we're all of that, but I also think we've propelled a lot as well and grown as a team, as a club. I always said I would like to help Newcastle get promoted, and not achieving that, I don't think that would ever sit well - so here I am for another year!
"I still think physically, on and off the pitch, I've got a lot to give and why not share my experience and help push the team? Whatever capacity that looks like, I'll always give that 100 per cent, so I'm looking forward to another good season."
Named as club captain last term, Stokes has come a long way from playing for boys teams - mirroring the growth of the women's game as a whole.
"The profile has gone through the roof. In the school playground, previously it would only be the male players that were known," added Mr Williamson. "All of a sudden, the women's names are known and valued and given the recognition they deserve.
"Demi very kindly has been to my school a couple of times, and what struck me was just how engaged all the children were to speak with her.
"The game's grown and probably people of Demi's era have sort of paved the way for today's young footballers coming through in the women's game.
"Demi didn't do it the easy way, she had to make lots of sacrifices. Hopefully now they've provided far clearer pathways for future generations of girls to come through."
And Mr Williamson now enjoys watching his former protégé play for his beloved Newcastle United.
"I've had a season ticket for the men for far too many years, and I've now got one to watch Demi play as well," he smiled. "It's still a great buzz and a thrill to see her put on the black and white. Before she signed for Newcastle, I did keep dropping a few hints - I'm delighted to see a play for Newcastle."
