A Tribute to William G. Williams

A dear member of the CANI family has passed away.

William G. Williams, the founder of the Economic Opportunity Council, the organization that would become CANI, died Sept. 17 at age 80. He was born Aug. 30, 1929 to William G. and Sally Williams.

Mr. Williams was a true Renaissance man, serving various roles in the public sector. Williams served on the Fort Wayne Board of Public Works in the administration of Mayors Harold Zeis and Ivan Lebamoff. He originally came from Michigan to Fort Wayne to be allocation and timing director for the United Way. During the Zeis administration, he organized the Manpower Program, which later became the City's Department of Human Resources. He subsequently helped start the Allen County Economic Opportunity Council, the predecessor of CANI.

During his administration, the EOC operated 11 varied programs, including Head Start, Legal Services, Neighborhood Youth Corps, Economic Development, Emergency Food and Medical Services, Youth Development, Neighborhood Services System, Foster Grandparents, and Planning and Research. Several of these programs are still in existence in some form.

Perhaps most remarkable, during his tenure the EOC program was cited congressionally as one of the Top 10 agencies in the nation. He was honored in 2005 with an award in his name, the William G. Williams Award, given to persons who demonstrate outstanding contributions in the fight against poverty.

CANI would not be the agency it is today if it weren’t for Mr. Williams’ legacy. CANI Executive Director Joe Conrad noted this, saying:

“One tiny acorn he called the Allen County Economic Opportunity Council grew up to be this mighty oak we call CANI. These days it drops acorns of its own all over the community. Bill understood how little acts can have major impact in other peoples’ lives. Consequently he never failed to act.”

Source: The Herald Bulletin (Anderson)