Thank you, Jim!

 

Jim Williams said yes when asked to serve as an Executive Committee Member of Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation. It was a pivotable event starting in 2009, providing BCPEF with the service of an individual who was committed, capable, and caring. Even during the most recent Zoom Executive Committee meeting, June 2020, Jim served as BCPEF Treasurer, willingly volunteering his banking expertise and counsel. Generous, not only with his time and financial skills, Jim was consistently a donor at the Vision-100 Level because he knew the importance of investing in our community’s public schools.

Vanessa Hammond, BCPEF Executive Committee President, has worked with Jim as a fellow officer and recalls their relationship fondly. She says, “Jim had an easy generosity. He was kind. He gave time and financial support to charitable causes, along with affirmation and encouragement to the people who led them. This quality helped to make him a successful banker, but it also helped to make ours a successful community. We all are better because of Jim Williams, and I will miss him.”

Lynn Voelz joined BCPEF, the same year as Jim, as the Foundation’s Executive Director. According to Lynn, “Jim was the consummate Executive Committee member. He was civic minded and knew the value of public education in creating a safe and prosperous community; therefore, he was a strong advocate for BCPEF. More than simply a Board member, Jim was a friend to us all. His gentle, courteous, and friendly manner was standard fare at every meeting and his wisdom, freely shared, kept us financially sound. His standard reply when asked about a financial move was ‘let me look into it and I’ll call you.’ He never failed to follow through, incorporating sound advice in his prompt response. We will greatly miss his wisdom and his faithful presence, but mostly his friendship, his smile and his gentle spirit.”

Jim Williams said yes, and BCPEF, our schools, and our community say, “Thank you, Jim!”

Jim’s obituary was published in the Cleveland Daily Banner  and an additional tribute, Banking, Civic Legend Jim Williams Remembered by Colleagues, Friends.

Blog Photo: Jim Williams with fellow Committee members Sherry Brown and Key Waller