Willie Bill Anderson Williams

June 20, 1924 - October 22, 2010

Dad,

How does one put into words a tribute to a person whom has literally molded, guided and advised you to be the son/man you are? I know these thoughts may sound unlucid as my emotions jump around, forgive me, only a few weeks have passed.

Faith:

At our 2nd annual Fall Renewal Service at Churchland Baptist Church, October 10, 2010, guest speaker soon to be Dr. Noel Schoonmaker preached a sermon entitled "Double Love". The text was taken from Matthew 22:34-40 and basically covered the story of a lawyer testing Jesus about which was the greatest commandment. Jesus simply answered, You shall love God with all your heart, soul and mind, this is the greatest commandment. The second is like it, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." I thought to myself during the message that describes my Dad.

Flash Forward: October 25, 2010

I am setting in another church with all my family, attending a funeral service listening to Dad's pastors, Elders John Draper and David Anderson, share stories of Dad's life and service to Pine Primitive Baptist Church. How he dug the basement under the church, was instrumental in bricking the church, filling a gully to expand parking lots, a force in paving projects, all things that I remembered and experienced as a child growing up in that church. But this story got my attention.

Dad's True-ism #1

"If you keep your mouth closed, and ears open, you may just learn something." (Dad had a PhD in common sense!)

Elder Draper shared that when he first arrived at Pine he was very studious and he was of the opinion that Deacons of the church should know and be able to quote scripture, something he noticed Brother Bill seldom did. He took the young deacon aside and voiced his concern, which greatly worried my Dad. See Dad did not like to read and sometimes had difficulty comprehending text, Mom explained later. Elder Draper finished his story that Brother Bill never did quote scripture, but that he lived it.

I watched seven close friends and one nephew carry Dad from the church that day remembering how he credited four of them as saviors of his self-owned grading business when times were really tough. Those same four men in turn shared memories of what Dad had done for them throughout their friendship making me well aware that it was mutual admiration. In the days after his death, neighbors and friends outpoured love, prayers, food and words of support for our family and left us with stories of Dad's visits and memories of friendship they shared.

Yes, Dad loved God heart, soul and mind and his neighbor and friends as himself.

Relationships:

Some Father/Sons are hunting, fishing buddies, others may share interests in sports or play golf together. Most share some bond or bonds that make them unique.

Dad and I were working buddies. When Dad deemed me old enough, (his decision) I would spend summers helping him on job sites, cleaning lots, cleaning up around new houses, picking up wood, paper, and debris so the yards could be graded. Once old enough to drive (learned to drive on a 2 ton dump truck, straight drive) I got to haul dirt, rock to and from work sites. He taught me to operate the front end loader thought I never came close to the master he was (surgeon-live ability). Being the boss' son back in those days did not hold the glamour you may read about today. He expected me to pull my weight and be an example of a dedicated employee to anyone else he may have hired to complete a project.

Hobbies:

Dad and I love John Wayne movies, especially the westerns. We could set for hours and watch a favorite like it was the first time, quoting lines and recalling favorite scenes before they happened. Mom and Karen never grasped the appeal!

Dad's favorite "sport" was pulling against whoever was playing my beloved Carolina Tar-heels in basketball. He knew that his support of the opposing team would infuriate me to no end and darn if his team didn't come out on top more often than not.

My life lesson in this was to stay cool under fire, control what you can, the rest lies in the bounce of the ball!

Dad's True-ism #2:

"Leave no job or task without doing your personal best, even if that means 'working off the clock' to satisfy the customer.

I don't want folks to think my Dad was a slave driver, he came up in depression times, when hard work was the key to survival and he wanted to instill a work ethic in me that would last a lifetime. You will appreciate the things that you work hard for, take care of them be it cars, trucks, sports equipment and even your relationships! What a life lesson!!

One of Dad's biggest and proudest projects was in 1979/80 when my wife Karen and I started our house on Boones Cave Road. Dad along with father-in-law, Bill McBride, cleared our lot and then proceeded to haul eleven hundred and sixty-five loads of dirt and or rock into the site to magically transform a hole into a home. Without Dad and his know-how or vision we would have never pulled it off. (He never forgave me for picking such a site!) Thanks, Dad!

Patience:

The summer of 1972, I believe would describe Dad's patience. In a few short weeks, the boss' son struck a "roach coach" (lunch truck for the novice, which was not my fault), was issued an overweight ticket hauling dirt ($92.00 Dad loaded, not my fault) and turned the dump truck over on its side while working for Duke Power (also not my fault). Bless Dad's patience, he never got mad, we just slapped the mirror back on, paid the fine, set the truck back on its wheels and continued working. He accepted all things as a challenge and dealt with them always thankful that no one was injured. It was a summer of patience. P.S.: He did suggest I might want to find another line of work, he did not think he could afford me! I took his advice!

Etching:

As children, I suppose one should remember everything your father tells you like advice, tips and general life wisdom. Of all these, I have two that are burned into my brain.

#1: "The Driving Speech"

The speech came in December 1970 or somewhere near that time. The occasion a boy's biggest triumph 1st driver's license. With license in hand and the keys to a 1955 Ford (who cared if you could see the pavement through the rear floorboard) a new driver was born and ready to take on the world. Thus enter the speech! "You know that I am self-employed and likely to be all over the county at any given time. I have lots of friends that know me and know you, the description of the car, etc. etc. "If I see you, or hear of you speeding up and down the highway, spinning tires, driving erratically the State of North Carolina won't take your license, I WILL!" Thanks Dad for caring. To this day, I honor the speech and obey. He meant it!

#2: "Agile and Mobile"

Back to the ill-fated summer of 1972, Dad was involved in moving dirt to Lexington Senior High for construction of new stands and leveling the football field. I once again was helping (the overweight fine came on this job) and had just pulled up to our loading site on Koontz Road. While Dad was trying to maneuver another dump truck into loading position, he drove the front-end-loader with bucket raised into a stump hole that literally threw the crawler on its side like a wounded beast. While witnessing this potential tragic accident, I was mesmerized by the image of Dad above the seat of the overturning crawler, legs pumping, feet digging as he leapt off the side and hit the ground running to avoid harm. For a brief moment I flashed back to childhood cartoons of Roadrunner and Wiley Coyote with Roadrunner running in place seemingly in the air, then beep-beep he was gone. The image of the two is surreal. At the time, Dad was 48 years old and I can tell you I was impressed with his agility and calm he showed afterwards.

Dad, I am going to close this letter now bearing a lighter heart, filled with fond memories of your love and sacrifice for us children and Mom. Thanks for watching over us while on earth. We know you're continuing to watch from heaven.

Love you always!

Billy, Glenda, Joyce, Mom

and the whole gang!