How do you adequately put into words the entirety of just how much someone’s life has touched you and the imprint they’ve left behind? I can’t even begin to attempt this task when speaking of my dear friend Bill Williamson, but I do want to take this moment to share some thoughts on just how much he meant to me and our entire HANCI family.
Bill, who was fondly referred to as “Mr. HANCI,” served this agency in too many ways to mention over the years, including as our Board Vice President. Bill was the kind of person you always wanted to be around and whose infectious positive attitude lifted everyone’s spirits. For many years, he served his community proudly on the following boards and committees: Art Park, Friends of the Library, the Niagara Community Center & Girls Club, Inc., the Black Pioneers, NAACP and the Niagara Falls Traffic Advisory Committee. He was also a lifelong member of New Hope Baptist Church in Niagara Falls, where he was very active.
When not volunteering countless hours at HANCI, Bill was either spending time with his family or supporting local sports teams. You could always find him watching his sons playing football and basketball, his daughter playing soccer and basketball – or his granddaughters dancing, concerts or sporting events. Bill was the ultimate family man and cherished the Williamsons’ once a month family dinners.
Bill was many things to many different people and while his passing has no doubt left a void in our lives, his memory lives on in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bill’s wife, Bennie, his children, grandchildren and extended family.
I feel so blessed to have had the gift of Bill’s friendship. He taught me so many life lessons that extend way beyond the walls of HANCI. I will treasure the memories of the moments we shared.
In honor of Bill, I ask that you please take a moment today and do something kind for someone else. To our beloved Bill, we all miss you and love you.