Kith and Kin of Callaway: Gene Williams

Gene Williams, 71, has been living and working in the Fulton area for the past three years. Williams is originally from Piedmont in the southeastern part of the state and has three daughters that live in Mexico.
Gene Williams, 71, has been living and working in the Fulton area for the past three years. Williams is originally from Piedmont in the southeastern part of the state and has three daughters that live in Mexico.

This column serves as a spotlight, highlighting the everyday people who work and live in Callaway County. The Fulton Sun takes a moment with someone who is not usually featured in the news, but is just as instrumental in making our community the strong and beautiful place we all know and love.

Gene Williams, 71, has been living and working in the Fulton area for the past three years. Williams is originally from Piedmont in the southeastern part of the state and has three daughters who live in Mexico.

Q. What was your first job?

A. My first real job was working at General Motors up in St. Louis. I would sell the new trucks and cars we had come out. I made pretty good money doing it.

Q. Who most inspires you (living or dead)?

A. Probably the great Creator. I got tired of the old life that I was living, and I decided that it had to be something better and needed a better life.

Q. What have you done in life that was most fulfilling?

A. Probably change my life and serve the Lord. I quit drinking a long time ago. When I was 22 or 23, I would just drink every day all day long. Now, I'm a vegetarian.

Q. What is something you are proud of that you have been recognized for?

A. Well, I'm not completely sure that I've ever been recognized for anything, and if I'm being truthful, I don't really want to be recognized for anything. I like peace and quiet.

Q. What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?

A. Well, I'm not really sure. Maybe do something to fix our nation's healthcare. It always was a dream of mine to pilot a plane or an ocean liner out at sea, but those are just dreams.

Q. What profession would you not like to do?

A. I really don't know. I'm old now and coming off of a recent injury, so I really don't want to do anything anymore.

Q. What is something that nobody would be able to assume about you?

A. I'm actually working on a book right now that I'm looking to publish. I'm also a polio survivor.

Q. What is your favorite thing about Callaway County?

A. The cost of living is pretty low here. It's a lot nicer than it is in southern Missouri, and they have a lot of big springs down there. There's clean water here, nice gravel, rocks, trees and hills.