Our words won’t mean nearly as much as theirs, meaning those in the community who lived with, worked with and admired Abraham Williams, the former executive director of the Housing Authority of Bowling Green.

Williams, who retired Aug. 1, passed away Oct. 13.

“He was a true pillar in this community” – Katie Miller, current head of HABG. “He helped everyone. He saw potential, he saw needs, and he sought to help alleviate those and help individuals.”

“When he took over, he cleaned up the housing authority so much that it became the envy of a lot of other housing authorities around our state, if not other housing authorities in our nation” – Carlos Bailey, Bowling Green city commissioner.

“Abraham was a guy that, when he was trying to get something done, he didn’t necessarily take no for an answer,” Bailey said. “He tried to get to that ‘yes’ no matter how he can get there, but he always did it, in my opinion, with a loving heart and he always did it with humor.”

Williams broke hearts when he retired. In his passing, he leaves behind a powerful legacy. He was a special man with a big heart. Caring for those in need is a path some take seriously and with passion.

He dreamed big. As reported by longtime DN reporter Don Sergent, Williams raised money to send 45 housing authority kids on two-week excursions to China. “It was a chance for public housing kids to travel,” Williams said before retiring. “It opened their eyes. You can’t tell people what they can become. They have to see it and touch it for themselves.”

Williams’ work with HABG is littered with gems. The HABG’s Live the Dream Development arm is working on an affordable-housing project on a 23-acre site abutting the authority’s Garvin House property on Fort Webb Drive near the Bowling Green Country Club.

He has initiated many programs – after-school programs, welfare-to-work programs and a mobile grocery store that provides healthy food to low-income residents, just to name a few.

His spirit and compassion left an indelible mark on this city. With sadness in the wake of his passing, admiration remains – he will be greatly missed.

“He’s a legend” – Bowling Green City Manager Jeff Meisel.