The Howard Payne University Social Work Advisory Board presented the Spirit of Social Work Award to Richard “Dick” Williams on Wednesday, March 23, during the board’s quarterly business meeting. Williams is the chaplain for Lighthouse Hospice of Brownwood.
“Over the past 27 years, Mr. Williams has assisted many individuals in addressing end of life issues with dignity and eternal hope,” said Dan Humeniuk, chair of HPU’s Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology and assistant professor of social work. “His contribution in this area most certainly reflects the spirit of social work.”
Williams served as a pastor for more than 30 years in five churches across three states. He started his career in hospice care for individuals in the later stages of life as the chaplain for Girling Health Care in 1983 and has remained dedicated to this service for the past 27 years.
He earned the Bachelor of Bible degree from Northwestern College in 1948, the Bachelor of Arts degree from Jamestown College in 1953 and the Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1957. He also holds a Clinical Pastoral Education Certification.
Williams and his wife, Vi, have been married for 62 years. They had five children, two of which are now deceased.
The HPU Social Work Advisory Board is comprised of 11 local individuals who have an interest in the social work profession and HPU’s social work program.
The board annually presents a Spirit of Social Work Award to an individual whose career reflects an outstanding contribution to the social work profession. It has been awarded to individuals in the local community who have collaborated with the social program or to distinguished program graduates.
Pictured above: (photo by Kalie Lowrie) Dan Humeniuk, chair of HPU’s Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology and assistant professor of social work, presents Dick Williams with the 2011 “Spirit of Social Work Award” on behalf of the Howard Payne University Social Work Advisory Board.
