MEL WILLIAMS, FUHS '56

Friday, April 13, 2007
'Mr. La Habra' grew up with hometown
Mel Williams, 69, was known for his lifelong volunteerism.
By ERIC CARPENTER
The Orange County Register

LA HABRA – In many ways, the life of Mel Williams mirrored the history of La Habra. He grew up with this town.
He was born here just a decade after the city incorporated.
He helped build fledgling community groups into institutions. Poured concrete in the park that houses the annual Corn Festival. Planted trees that now have firm roots.
Williams was known by many simply as "Mr. La Habra."
He continued to lend a hand, to volunteer – even in failing health – until he could no more.
Williams died April 4 of complications from a kidney transplant. He was 69.
"He was La Habra's town greeter," said Robert Dale a friend and fellow member of the Old Settlers Historical Society, a group dedicated to preserving La Habra's past.
"You'd walk down the street with Mel and he'd talk to everybody in his path, only stopping to clean up pieces of trash," Dale said. "This was his town."
Williams also was the unofficial town photographer, a hobby that he picked up from his father, who founded the town's first photo store.
Williams carefully preserved those photos that documented La Habra's growth from sprawling citrus farms to thriving industry and dense housing.
As the town grew, Williams was there to help. He started volunteering at age 5. With his parents' guidance, he raised money for the March of Dimes. He later served on the board of directors for more than 20 years.
He worked as a carpenter, helping his dad build the Boys and Girls Club in 1957. He joined the Kiwanis Club in 1963 – and never missed a meeting until 1996.
Many people got to know Williams as the bell ringer outside the Euclid Street Post Office, routinely raising thousands of dollars each holiday season for the Salvation Army.
"If I can make one person have a better day of life, every day of my life, that's what I want to do," he told the Register in a 1999 interview.
Williams never married. He was just too busy, he said.
He never had children, but many considered him like a father. He delivered Meals on Wheels to senior citizens every Friday. And during the week, he routinely drove friends to doctor's appointments and chemotherapy treatments.
He held their hands when they needed support.
Many friends showed their love for Williams and tried to repay some of his favors during his kidney transplant in 2003.
Friends set a goal of raising $5,000 to help pay for some of Williams' medical expenses. Within weeks, they more than double the anticipated amount, raising $12,000.
This was his town. Its people were his family.
Williams is survived by his sister, Nanette.
The Historical Society on Saturday will plant a Canary Island palm – Williams' favorite tree – at La Habra High School in his honor. The tree planting begins at 10 a.m.
A public graveside memorial is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com