A voice for faithfulness to God, family and community is now silent.
Jack Williford, 81, succumbed after a brief illness leaving a legacy of service to Bertie County, along with a heritage of being a good man and a lifelong lover of sports.
“Jack Williford was a man who loved Bertie County and dedicated his life to his community and his family,” Windsor Mayor Lewis Hoggard said. “He was a hard-working man who did whatever he could to make his community better, but still had time to be a friend to all.
“Windsor and Bertie County are both worse for his loss, but his memory and the life he dedicated to public service will always be remembered,” Hoggard closed.
Mr. Williford was a Windsor native who went to Windsor High School and later attended the University of North Carolina School of Government. At UNC, he was awarded the NCAAO Award, one of the most prestigious given.
After an early career as salesman and gas truck driver, Mr. Williford moved into public service, serving first as Bertie County Tax Administrator before transitioning to Bertie County Manager. He was lauded for his work in both positions before deciding to retire in 2000.
While serving his county, Mr. Williford was also serving his station. He served as President of the N.C. Association of Assessing Officers and Tax Collectors Association during his career. He was also named Tax Supervisor of the Year and Outstanding Tax Collector.
Following his retirement, he worked as an interim leader in Roberson and Martin County.
Among his many honors, Mr. Williford served as President of the Rotary Club, worked with the Bertie County Rescue and was a member of the N.C. Baptist Foundation. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Windsor Jaycees.
While known far and wide for his public service, Mr. Williford was also known as an avid sports fan. He was a lover of high school sports, little league and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. He coached little league in Windsor, basketball at Lawrence Academy and aided a host of young people to become better at the games he coached, as well as better human beings.
He and Norman Cherry did the play-by-play announcing for Bertie High School’s home football games, beginning when Mr. Williford’s grandson, Grantley Mizelle, was the school’s Head Football Coach and continuing until his health declined.
Cherry said he knew Mr. Williford and as a man who loved his community, loved sports and was a wonderful person.
“Jack and I were great friends for a long time,” Cherry said. “I can’t think of anyone who loved Bertie County and its citizens more than he did. We spent time together as PA announcers at Bertie home football games until his health would not allow it, and even after that we would talk at least twice a month.
“The only thing we disagreed on was ACC basketball,” Cherry mused. “He was a Tar Heel and I was a Wolfpack. I forgive him for that.”
Turning back serious, Cherry said, “We’ve lost a good man and he will be missed. Some things we may have disagreed on, but when it came to the citizens of Bertie and their well-being, we were always on the same page.”
Mr. Williford is survived by his wife of 63 years, Edith, and two daughters and sons-in-law, Angela and Harold Mizelle and Jackie and Hunter Copeland, as well as his two grandchildren — Grantley Mizelle and his wife, Liz, and Ashtyn Mizelle Kim and her husband, Seongsu. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Ella and Gabby Mizelle and Arthur Jackson Kim.
Services for Mr. Williford were held on Monday, July 1 at Cashie Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to Cashie Baptist Church Music or Children-Youth Departments or a charity of one’s choice.
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