John Williams Memorial Scholarships to honor slain Lowndes County sheriff
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Sheriff John Williams Memorial Scholarship announced
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HAYNEVILLE — Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams may be gone, but his memory will influence young people in his home county for generations to come.
The Lowndes County Children’s Policy Council has formed the John Williams Memorial Scholarship. Students from the county’s three high schools, the Calhoun High School, Central High School and Lowndes Academy, are eligible.
“Everyone wants to know what they can do to help, to keep John’s memory alive,” said Lowndes County District Judge Adrian Johnson, chairman of the council and a close friend of Williams. “He was so active in the community and was so involved with children and young people. If there was an event at any of the schools, he was there.”
Johnson and Williams served on the children’s council together. Williams graduated from Calhoun in 1976.
Williams was shot and killed the night of Nov. 23, 2019, while trying to disperse a large crowd playing loud music at the QV Convenience Store in downtown Hayneville. The store is just across the street from the courthouse that now bares Williams’ name and is about two blocks away from the popular lawman’s home.
William Chase Johnson was indicted on capital murder charges by a recent session of the Lowndes County grand jury. Chase Johnson and Adrian Johnson are not related.
The scholarships will be for students attending a four-year college or university, community college or trade school. The recipients must demonstrate a record of service to their community, school or church. The starting amount is $2,000 per student.
“John was all about service, and he had a passion for the children of Lowndes County” Adrian Johnson said. “Some people aren’t cut out for college. If there’s a young person who is active in their church, school, who is helping others and wants to learn a trade, they need to apply.
“People who knew John knew he was loved and respected by everyone, people from all walks of life respected John. Our daughter loved John and will remember him, but children 10 years from now may not know of him. We want the scholarships to help keep John’s memory alive.”
More: Larger than life: Slain sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams’ memory casts long shadow over Lowndes County
That’s important, said Joanne Williams, John Williams’ widow, who attended the council meeting with their daughter Shanice.
“It shows that people still remember him,” JoAnne Williams said.
The scholarships are fitting, Shanice Williams said.
“Everyone knew my father’s passion for children, not just his own children,” she said.
Chase Johnson, 19, of Montgomery, is being held under no bond in the Elmore County Jail. No bond is common on a capital case. He is the son of a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
Capital murder is the most severe charge the state can bring. Upon conviction the only sentencing options are the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. There is a gag order in the case, barring attorneys and participants from commenting outside of court proceedings or court filings.
More: William Chase Johnson indicted in slaying of Lowndes County Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams
Williams, who was 62 at the time of his death, spent more than 40 years serving his community. He started out as a reserve deputy in 1978 under then-Sheriff John Hulett. Then it was three years at Hayneville police department before going back to the sheriff’s office as a “road deputy.” He worked his way up to be appointed chief deputy in 1990 by then sheriff Willie Vaughner. He was elected sheriff in 2010 and easily re-elected in 2014 and 2018.
To Help:
The scholarships program is being run by the Lowndes County Partnership for Children, a group formed by the council. Tax deductible donations to the scholarships program can be made go the partnership at P.O. Box 455, Hayneville., Ala., 36040.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: John Williams Memorial Scholarships to honor slain Lowndes County sheriff