Today's Featured Biography

 
Larry Williams

After graduating from Crisp Co. High School in 1964, I entered Middle Georgia College in Cochran for the Summer Quarter. My roommate for that quarter was Clark Mishoe, who as everybody knows, also graduated with the Rebel Class of 1964. While there at 'Middle Diddle', I lived in Talmadge Hall for the remaining two years, along with Joel James, Clark Mishoe, Johnny Maddox, and Walter Clements. At the end of those two years (AA Degree, 1966), I transferred to UGA, and roomed with Ray Yawn, Billy Ellis, & Joel James.

We all lived in several places while in Athens, including the 'Bulldog Trailer Park' which was located across the railroad tracks on the east end of Sanford Stadium. Later on, we moved to the Callaway Garden Apartments on the Atlanta Highway where another member of our 1964 class, also resided... Hal Slade transferred from ABAC at the same time that Joel James, and I, transferred from Middle Georgia. Ray Yawn transferred from Valdosta State, and Billy Ellis transferred from Georgia Southwestern, where he had a stellar basketball career. The 'Four Amigos' had reunited...

In 1968, I graduated from UGA with a BBA Degree in Management. After that, I returned to Cordele for a short while, before getting the 'dreaded-call' from Ms. Eloise Adkins of the Draft Board Notoriety. As many of you know, Ms. Adkins was Jimmy Adkins' Mom. Jimmy, of course, was a classmate of ours at CCHS. At that time, it was inevitable that my days of civilian freedom were over. So, rather than getting drafted, I chose to join the Air Force as a non-commissioned officer.

After finishing basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, I found my way to Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado for tech school training as an Inventory Management Specialist. From there, I moved to Robins AFB for a year and a half, before being reassigned to the 7th Air Force, 377th Supply Squadron, at Tan San Nhut AB (sp) in Saigon, Viet Nam. Then back to Robins AFB, until I was discharged in January of 1973.

Shortly, after returning home from the AF, I went to work with Lilliston Corporation, a farm equipment manufacturer in Cordele, as a Quality Control Inspector & Supervisor. In 1980 the Cordele Plant closed, and I continued to work with Lilliston, while commuting to the Albany Plant. While at Lilliston in Albany, I was promoted to the position of Quality Control Manager. In 1986 Lilliston sold out to the Bush Hog Co. in Selma, Alabama where I was offered the same position. But, I chose to remain in Cordele and went to work with the Sanco Products Co. in Macon, Ga. My job with Sanco then, and now, is a District Sales Manager for Southwest Ga. I have been with Sanco Products (A Sanitary Supply & Equipment Co.) for the past 26 years.

In 1975 at the age of 29 years, and 364 days old, I married Deborah Little, also of Cordele. She was my date at our first class reunion in 1974. Deborah and I have two sons, Greg (37) and Scott (32). Greg is employed by the Tift Co. Board of Education in Tifton, Ga., and is an Assistant Baseball Coach for the Tift Co. High School Baseball Team. Greg is married to the former Ashley Driggers from Tifton. Greg & Ashley gave birth to my first grandchild -- Riley Ashton Williams -- on March 16, 2009.

Scott moved back to Cordele from Griffin, and is presently attending Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus pursing a degree in Education. Scott is married to Heather McCranie Williams and they have a soon-to-be 3 year old daughter - Haley Brooke Williams.

My wife, Deborah, worked with Belk Matthews for 29 years as an Office Manager, Operations Manager, Human Resources Manager, & Store Manager. Deborah is currently retired, and enjoys gardening and networking with her friends on the Dave's Garden Website Forum. She raises and releases butterflies, while also hosting plants that attract hummingbirds.

I consider my profession in sales as God Sent. I enjoy getting up everyday, and going to work. My customers are my friends, and my occupation is more fun, than it is work. It gives me a lot of flexibility, and I can call my own shots. 'Brer'-Rabbit' is squarely in the middle of the 'Briar Patch' on this one. When not playing (Er', I mean working), I enjoy keeping up with my DAWGS and UGA Football. I am, also, actively involved with my Son's Dugout Club for the Tift Co. Baseball Blue Devils, while serving as the webmaster of the team' website... Checkout, tcbluedevilbaseball.com.

Well, that's about it. Hope to see everybody at our next reunion... And, if 'Potty' Gray and Ray 'Fire Bird' Yawn are reading this Bio, then please get in touch with the 'Lum'.

Larry Williams
(Submitted June 26, 2009)

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