In compliance with the Cooperative’s bylaws, the Sumter EMC Board of Directors appointed Leon Williams to fill the at-large directorate seat left vacant by the death of Mr. Lawrence Williams. Mr. Williams was appointed effective March 2, 2023. 

Leon Williams was born and raised in Marion County, Georgia, on a farm outside Buena Vista. Mr. Williams proudly served his country in the US Army, where he trained at Fort Benning and spent time overseas while stationed in Germany. Upon his return to the States, he married his high school sweetheart, Priscilla. He and Priscilla have been married for 45 years, the same amount of time they have been members of Sumter EMC. Their family includes two children, Dr. Leon Williams Jr. and Kelcey Williams, daughter-in-law, Aqura, granddaughter, Vynez, and grandson, Leon Williams III. 

Williams has spent the bulk of his life serving others. He has served on the Marion County Board of Education for 20 years and retired from Chattahoochee County Schools after working there for 11 years. Whether in the military, on the school board, as an educator, or from the pulpit, he takes pride in working well with people. Williams has been a pastor for 30 years and is passionate about building up the churches where he serves. Mr. Williams is the pastor at Fairview CME Church in Fort Valley.  

He says he was delighted to learn of his appointment to the Board; he always felt called to be in a position of this caliber. Williams’ message to the members of Sumter EMC is that they can always count on him to make decisions that are best for them, the co-op, and the community.  

“We welcome Mr. Williams to the Sumter EMC Board of Directors. We look forward to working with him and appreciate his willingness to serve our members,” said Dr. Cecil Myers, Chairman of the Board of Sumter EMC.