We were excited to send Mrs. Wilhelmenia Williams to sunnier skies and new adventures but so sad to see her go. Mrs. Williams was the first supporter of Carl Maxey Center having birthed and raised one of our most beloved local heroes, Sandy Williams, there would be no CMC without Mrs. Williams. Williams’ legacy in Spokane begins years before however, she has been a steady guiding light for many in our community, walking alongside military families as a nurse at Fairchild Airforce Base, as a church elder, she is a Spokane hero in her own right.
I grew up knowing Mrs. Williams as a strong-willed, wise, and caring lady from my grandmother’s church, as they shared the same church home in my childhood, New Hope Baptist Church, pastored by the late Rev. Happy Watkins. I quickly figured out that Williams, though kind and graceful, was not to be messed with. With her quiet attention, and occasional warnings of “I don’t think I would do that, if I were you”, her guidance is not loud or lecturing, but rather self reflective, and from all I’ve seen, usually correct.
When Sandy “had to leave,” as Mrs. Williams often puts it, Mrs. Williams did not stop her steadfast support of the mission or the community CMC supports. Bingo with Williams has been one of our most consistent and well attended events, and Williams has hardly missed a Thursday in the last three years, except a few weeks in the bitter cold of winter. It was her wisdom that ensured Sandy purchased the building for CMC, ensuring community ownership of a space on Fifth Avenue, with no chance of anyone pushing us out with lease increases or difference of opinions, our building belongs to Black Spokane because of her.
It is also her quiet guidance that has kept us all in line. I may be the director of CMC but Williams has always been the boss! Her most recent instruction, insisting we get a “real” sign for the building, and insisting it light up so people see the building as they drive by at night. Rallying the beloved bingo ladies for donations, with help from Maxey Law Office Annual Golf Open and a generous donation from the shareholders of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, the sign was installed. We couldn’t wait to show her, even without electricity it looked amazing. She said, “invite me back down when it’s actually working”, and as always, I answered, “Yes, ma’am”, and called an electrician to get that light working immediately. And as usual, she was right, we needed that sign.
Mrs. Williams, we will miss you! Enjoy the sunshine and good company, we’ll be ready for a game day whenever you come for a visit.
Jillisa Winkler is the executive director of the Carl Maxey Center.