Williams a business, education and civic giant in this community
You would be hard-pressed to find a man in Newnan and Coweta County during the past 60 years who was more respected, beloved and devoted to the community than Bill Williams.William W. “Bill” Williams Jr., 85, died on Monday. He was buried Thursday next to his wife, Barbara, in her hometown of Washington, Ga.
Williams came to Newnan in 1952 as band director at Newnan High School. He soon went into banking in the community and became one of the movers and shakers in Newnan and Coweta County in education, banking, economic development and other civic affairs.
His fingerprints are on much of the growth and development that took place in this prosperous community through the years. He was a man who was admired and respected by all those who came in contact with him.
There were words like:
“I respected him.” “He was fair.” “He always did the right thing.” “He was always there ... working to better the community.” “He was involved with just about every new industry that came.” “He loved Newnan.” “I think he saved [downtown.]” He “was so committed to bringing the university (West Georgia) into Newnan, and it would not be here if not for his dedication and persistence.” “He was one of those people you looked up to and admired.”
In all that he did Bill Williams was a driving, positive force — dedicated to the cause and committed to making things better for those around him. He always offered a positive, supportive comment to anyone he encountered.
In the news obituary after the passing of Bill Williams, Skinner wrote that Williams “changed the face of Coweta County as a banker but never forgot his first career in education.”
Our community and this region mourn the passing of this business and civic giant. And we celebrate his life and his many contributions. This community is a better place — a growing thriving community — because Bill Williams came this way 60 years ago and gave his all in a lifetime of tremendous achievement and dedication.
