BLUEFIELD — Bluefield College prides itself on preparing innovative learners and transformational leaders to impact the world. The best measure of that vision and mission is the outcome of the school’s alumni. Alumnus Leroy Williams certainly fits the bill. This leader from the class of 1957 had a vision to restore married student housing facilities on the college campus, and with his own passion and energy inspired others to join in the massive renovation project.
Williams earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Bluefield in 1957 while serving as a leader with the Baptist Student Union. After BC, he attended Baylor University and studied finance at the University of Richmond.
Leroy Williams at Bluefield College during renovation of housing facilities.
|
He had a successful career in accounting, serving as a special projects administrator and manager with Phillip Morris, before retiring in 1992. That’s when he began to demonstrate his leadership skills through his passion for carpentry and construction.
“I’ve been doing this for 17 years,” said Williams about his work in construction and renovation as part of missions. “It’s something I can do. The Lord has prepared me for this all my life.”
A member of New Bethesda Baptist in Mechanicsville and Dover Baptist Association, Williams used those two organizations to feed his passion, not only serving, but leading construction mission projects in Virginia, Canada, Europe, South America and India.
His most recent project: the renovation of four cottages on the Bluefield campus to create valuable married student housing. And, Williams not only participated in the work, but organized more than 100 volunteers from 15 churches to join in the effort.
For five weeks, the missionaries, under his’ leadership, installed new windows, doors and vinyl siding to the exteriors of the four cottages. They laid new flooring, mounted new walls, and installed new plumbing, wiring, appliances, and cabinets.
In addition to the sweat equity, Williams solicited thousands of dollars in financial contributions and numerous gifts-in-kind to support the renovation effort.
When asked why he chose the Bluefield College project, Williams stated matter-of-factly, “because I went to school here, and that’s what you do. This school did a lot for me, so this is my way of giving back.”