The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce has named Jimmy Williams as the Grand Marshal for the Mount Olive Christmas Parade.
The parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Dec. 7th at 10 a.m. in downtown Mount Olive.
Jimmy Williams, aged 90, has a storied history with Mount Olive and Wayne County.
He was born in 1934 and earned degrees from Atlantic Christian College, East Carolina University and the University of Mount Olive. Education has been a vital role of Jimmy’s life including serving as a teacher/coach at Walstonburg School, teacher/coach at Mount Olive High School, Principal at Southern Wayne High School, Headmaster at Wayne Country Day School, Principal at Mount Olive Middle School, Superintendent of Wayne County Schools and Vice-President of Institutional Advancement at the University of Mount Olive.
In addition to his educational roles, Jimmy has been actively involved in his community.
He served as the President of the Mount Olive Lions Club, President of the Mount Olive Rotary Club, Chairman of the Mount Olive Housing Authority, Chairman of the Mount Olive Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Board of Adjustments for the Town of Mount Olive, President of Southern Wayne Country Club, Teacher of the First United Methodist Church for 35 plus years and Chairman of the First United Methodist Administrative Board.
Jimmy’s active involvement in his community has earned him numerous awards including being named Coach of the Year several times, Member of the Hall of Fame for the North Carolina Independent School Association, Member of the Athletic Hall of Fame at the University of Mount Olive, Recipient of the Boys Club Medallion, Order of the Long Leaf Pine for the state of North Carolina, Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary Club and the Wayne County Cornerstone Award from the Wayne County Chamber.
“Jimmy has positively impacted many lives through coaching, teaching and volunteering,” said Mount Olive Chamber President, Julie Beck. “When the committee met to select a Grand Marshal, Jimmy’s name was at the top of the list. He has dedicated his life to making a difference to students, teachers, athletes and Mount Olive citizens. We are proud of his many accomplishments and call him our hometown hero and friend. Naming Jimmy Williams as the Grand Marshal is our way of showing our gratitude for his outstanding service to Mount Olive and the surrounding area.”
Jimmy is married to Frances Howard Williams and the father of daughter, Karen Williams Moore, and son, James E. Williams, Jr. He is also the grandfather of seven grandchildren and great grandfather to one great grandchild.
The Mount Olive Christmas Parade is sponsored by the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce.
The parade route begins at Carver Elementary and continues down Old Seven Springs Road, Church Street, College Street, and both sides of Center Street. The parade ends on James Street.
For more information about the Mount Olive Christmas Parade, contact the Mount Olive Chamber at (919) 658-3113.
