1993 Gene Williams, Scoutmaster

In 1993 Gene Williams was honored for his service to the Boy Scouts of New Vienna.   Transcription of the Friday, March 19, 1993 clipping from the Wilmington News-Journal follows.

1993 Gene Williams, Scoutmaster - Clipping from WNJ March 19, 1993

Retired Scoutmaster Williams honored

Eugene P. Williams, New Vienna, was honored recently with a retirement program and reception conducted at the New Vienna United Methodist Church and hosted by Boy Scout Troop 97 chartered to Dalton Lodge F&AM No 57, New Vienna.  Williams served as Scoutmaster of Troop 97 for 30 years and plans to continue service as assistant scoutmaster.

Service by Williams to the Boys Scouts includes guiding 17 Scouts to the Eagle rank:  leading six troop expeditions to the Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico; taking the Scouts each summer to Camp Birch, Clifton; and participating on numerous committees of the former Anthony Wayne District and now Robert E. Hadley District (serving Clinton County) and the Tecumseh Council (serving Logan, Champaign, Clark, Green[e] and Clinton counties.  

Scouting awards received during those years include Brotherhood membership in the Order of the Arrow (the Boy Scout honor camping society), the Cross & Flame Award from the New Vienna United Methodist Church (a Methodist award for service to youth), the Robert E. Hadley District Award of Merit (the highest award conferred by a Boy Scout district for outstanding service to youth of the local civic community), and the Silver Beaver Award (the highest award bestowed by a Boy Scout council for exceptional service to youth).

Tributes to Williams were delivered from Eagle Scout Mark A. Bland, Eagle Class of '88; Arnold H. Hill, current Scoutmaster of Troop 97; and David T. Sipe, Scoutmaster of Troop 149 chartered to the Martinsville Lions Club.  Troop 97 Assistant Scoutmaster Margaret F. Hill had prepared personally and presented to Williams in appreciation from all the parents for his years of serving as Scoutmaster to their sons an oval framed Boy Scout emblem on counted cross-stitch.  And Scouting para-professional, Troop 97 committee member Ronald L. Pirman, presented from the friends of Williams a 1910 original edition of the Boy Scout handbook set in a cherry display case and a Boy Scout scholarship fund in Williams' name.  The fund is designated for Troop 97 Boy Scout leadership training.

Commendations and special recognitions received came from Gov. George V. Voinovich, the Ohio State Senate, U.S. Congressman Ted Strickland, and B.S.A. Chief Scout Executive Jere B. Ratcliffe.  Ohio State Sen. Cooper Snyder personally presented the Senate resolution.

Organist Wilman Croghand [Wilma Croghan] and vocalist Jim Butler provided music selections for the program.  Tecumseh Council Scout Executive William V. Deany delivered the invocation, and Troop 97 Senior Patrol Leader Adam Hill led the participants in the "Pledge of Allegiance."

Williams, in remarks concluding the program, noted that "A scoutmaster's minute is supposed to be a short inspirational talk . . . but this is my inspiration (pointing to the assembled Boy Scouts from his troop) . . . If you live up to all of those (the twelve points of the Boy Scout Law), can you help but love one another and your fellow man around you?"

A reception honoring Williams and his wife Hilda followed in the church social hall.