Title
To honor, recognize, and celebrate the service and contributions of Mr. Wilbert (Wil) Charles Anderson Jr. as a profile of courage in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilbert Charles Anderson Jr., affectionately known as “Wil” was born on May 11, 1936 at Cherry Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana to Mr. Wilbert and Mrs. Eunice Anderson; and
WHEREAS, Wil, who aspired to be a priest, was raised Catholic - attending Saint Luke’s High School at Saint Augustine located in Thibodaux, Louisiana; later Will received a scholarship to attend college at Saint Benedictine located in Atchison, Kansas - becoming one of the first black students to integrate the school - Wil graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology; and
WHEREAS, Wil, embracing the call to serve, returned home to Louisiana to pursue a career as a teacher and a coach -coaching football and track; Wil moved to Columbus in 1978 where he pursued a successful new career as a salesman at Westgate Furniture; he was quickly promoted to the position of General Manager and subsequently purchased a portion of this business which he renamed to Quality Home Furnishing and Quality Carpet Sales in 1985; and
WHEREAS, Wil used his success as an entrepreneur to pursue his passion for serving others; supporting charitable causes at every available opportunity; fighting for children, assisting the elderly, and working to end hunger - over the years Wil helped raise tens of thousands of dollars to support the King Arts Complex via the Honda Capital City Classic Golf Tournament - Will also had a desire to help bridge gaps within the African American business community; and
WHEREAS, Wil has also become known for his support in the civic community; supporting organizations like: the Sertoma Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Wedge Golf Club, Merry Maker’s, the Columbus Bid Whist Society, Kingsmen - the King Arts Complex - where he received the King Arts Complex Lifetime Achievement Award, the Scots Sports Booster Club, Saint Thomas the Apostle Meal Program and the Charity Newsies where he became one of its first black members; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilbert (Wil) Charles Anderson Jr. will be honored by the Columbus Whist Players Society at the 11th Annual Black History Month Program on Saturday February 11th 2017- an event that includes a dinner and a keynote speech by Ms. Barbara Nicholson; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby honor, recognize, and celebrate the service and contributions of Mr. Wilbert (Wil) Charles Anderson Jr. as a profile of courage in the City of Columbus.