Ronnie Mayor Williams

GARNER- Mayor Ronald Stephen Williams passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2020, after a long and hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Surrounded by his loving family, his death was peaceful at his home. Ronnie grew up in Garner and graduated from Garner High in 1966. After a stint at Wake Technical Community College, He was drafted into the Army and served two years in Vietnam. When he returned from service to his country to his beloved town of Garner, he launched a distinguished career of community service. Few citizens have devoted as much time, energy, and love to a single purpose to uplift and promote his town full of caring and good neighbors. His last words delivered to the public summed up his beliefs fully practiced for 38 years in the Town of Garner: “Service is what keeps us going. Service is what brought us here. Service is what will keep us here.” Early service included membership in The Garner Jaycees, including a term as president. He was a volunteer fireman (1970-1976) and volunteer with Garner EMS (1976-1983). He was the Chief of Garner EMS for three years. He was a member of Garner Housing Appeals Board (1983-1985). He was elected as Town Alderman (1985-2005) and Garner Mayor (2005-2019). Williams’ tenure as mayor was marked by numerous accomplishments that greatly enhanced the community’s quality of life and the level of municipal services provided to Garner residents. His first term as mayor got underway with completion of renovations of the Garner Performing Arts Center auditorium in the old Garner High School building. In 2009, the Town opened the 96-acre White Deer Park and its LEED Gold Certified Nature Center. In 2013, thanks to a citizen-led initiative and with the support of the Town, the Garner Veterans Memorial in Lake Benson Park was dedicated. That same year saw voter approval of a $35.7 million bond program that enabled the construction of a new Town Hall, police headquarters and other projects including the Garner Recreation Center. In June 2013, Garner was named an All-America City. Williams led a delegation of community representatives who traveled to Denver to compete and win the town’s prestigious honor, known as “the Nobel Prize for civic accomplishment.” Williams also helped guide the town through tragedy when in 2009 an explosion at the old ConAgra plant on Jones Sausage Road killed four people. During his last term as mayor, the Town was able to announce plans to redevelop the former ConAgra site as an Amazon fulfillment center. That center recently opened, bringing over 3,000 jobs and $200 million of new investment to Garner. Williams assumed roles of regional and statewide leadership during his tenure as mayor. He served as chair of the Wake County Mayors Association from 2007 to 2009 and was selected to be an at-large member of the N.C. League of Municipalities’ Board of Directors. He was a Mason, having served as Master in Garner Lodge 701. He also was a member of the Garner Shrine Club and Amran Shrine Temple. His family was far more important than his public service, and this love extended to coaching for little league in Garner Baseball and CASL in youth soccer. He also was a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Aversboro Road Baptist Church. In recognition of life-long work to Garner, he was presented with the 2016 James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award. The award is bestowed on citizens who have made substantial, outstanding contributions to Garner over a significant number of years He is predeceased by his parents Silas and Edna Davis Williams and a brother Roger. Surviving are his wife Betsy Green Williams; sons Stephen Dale and wife Amy, Scott Allen and wife Joy; grandchildren Kaylee and Jackson, and a soon to be expected grandson, Wyatt Stephen Williams; and brother John and wife Taryn. Mayor Williams will lie in state from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner. The family will plan a Community Memorial Service for Ronnie as soon as Covid restrictions for congregation are lifted. Flowers are welcomed or memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.