Williams was referencing a line from the iconic Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” focusing on the ideal that giving to others, being a good family man, and having friends provides riches beyond anything one can buy.
Williamson sat at a table surrounded by family and laughed as Williams told stories about the two of them growing up together. “He taught me how to shoot a hook shot and I got him through American history,” joked Williams who considers Williamson a fifth brother in his family.
Both Don and Bob are proud members of the TKHS Class of 1957. Their class annually gives out a scholarship to one graduating senior. “I wish I could tell you how it feels to give them a hand up to get started. It’s so nice to be able to do that for somebody else. Don knows that feeling.”
Williams said Don has happily made a life of giving back to others. “Winston Churchill said, ‘You make a life by what you earn, you make a living by what you give away.’ Don’s given a lot.”
Williamson’s list of involvement in the community and TK Schools is long. He served as a founding member and first president of the Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association; a member of Middleville Rotary, Lions, Lincoln Meadows Senior Living board, Thornapple Arts Council, and Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation and at one time served as president of each organization. He also served 20 years on the TK Board of Education and was able to hand each of his four children their diplomas.
He’s earned the TK Distinguished Alumni honor. He volunteers every year to be part of the Career Fair at Page Elementary School and talks to students about finding their passion and a meaningful career. He’s taught art classes through community education for several years and offers individual art lessons as well. He even gave his talents to the foundation banquet by supplying three original paintings to give away and artwork for each of the tables.
He and his wife, Cathy, have started their own Art Scholarship awarded annually through the TAEF. Don said giving back to the schools is especially dear to his heart. “I had a lot of mentors, coaches and good friends in high school,” he said. “School gave me a lot.”
After high school Don attended Kendall College of Art and Design and later earned a master’s degree in fine arts from Western Michigan University. He worked in advertising and marketing before returning to Kendall to become a professor and then later served as the Dean of Faculty for 29 years.
Don’s most visible artwork in the community is “The Reclaimed Spirit” sculpture and park in front of McFall Elementary. It stands as a lasting tribute to the former high school that was located on the site. The design features a curved walkway representing the Thornapple River and the sculpture made from bricks of the old school shows the path from the past to the future.
Williamson said he’s honored to be this year’s Hometown Hero. "It's a very nice honor and I'm very proud to be following some big leaders in the community," he said.
Don thanked the TAEF board and all the organizations he’s served on over the years. He said he’s especially proud of his family – his wife Cathy and their four children - Melinda Cutlip, Stacey Willshire, Ken and Don Jr. He said all of his children have grown up to be givers in their own way.
“Giving is contagious,” he said. “The harder you work, the better the reward.”
Melinda Cutlip said her father was born with an inability to say “no” when someone asked him for help or to do something and that he loved to share his artistic talents with others. “I believe he’s given away more of his art than he’s sold,” she said. “That’s my Dad. He’s a giver. He’s generous with his gifts and talent and time. He’s the best example of what we should all do.”
Annie Halle, TAEF liaison from Barry Community Foundation, said it’s the generous support and giving of people like Don Williamson who continue to make TAEF strong.
TAEF started in 1992 with a generous donation of $32,000. Today, TAEF, with the help of the Barry Community Foundation, has more than $2 million in assets, Halle said. She also noted TAEF gave out 120 scholarships worth about $150,000 in spring 2019 as well as $22,000 in classroom grants and has been part of the KickStart to Career effort setting up education savings accounts for all kindergarten students in the county.