Photo by Liza Winkler
Photo by Liza WinklerA group of residents and city officials gathered for a ceremony Nov. 11 to honor and dedicate Magnolia City Hall to late Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Williams.
"Patsy had the unique ability to see people's talents and what they could do in the future in spite of themselves," Magnolia Economic Development Coordinator Tana Ross said. "There were no limits for her—all walks of life, she crossed all social and economic lines and she could see talent, particularly in women."
The city of Magnolia purchased and placed a bronze plaque near the entrance of city hall to commemorate Williams. The inscription on the plaque reads—"In loving memory of Patsy Williams for her dedicated community service and leadership to the City of Magnolia serving Council Position 5, 1992 to 2013."
Williams was elected to office in May 1992 and served on City Council until she lost her battle with cancer Nov. 15, 2013. She served as mayor pro tem from 1994–1995, and then served again in that same capacity from 2001–2013. Williams was a resident of Magnolia since 1955. She and her husband Jonny have one son, Todd, and four grandchildren.
"[Williams] and I go back to the mid '90s—she was on council when I was mayor," said Frank Parker, chairman of the Magnolia Planning and Zoning Commission. "She was an amazing woman. She and I didn't agree on everything, but there was no question that she was trying to do the best she could for the city."
During her years of work in the community, Williams became a peer to everyone she met and stayed firm in her religious faith, Ross said.
"Hopefully we'll go on to remember her every day we walk up to this building," Mayor Todd Kana said.
