The life and legacy of Cecil ‘Gus’ Williams will undoubtedly live on in the memories of those persons with whom he had the opportunity to make acquaintance. I am one of those persons who certainly had the privilege to converse, work and learn a thing or two during his presence here on earth.
I recalled some nine years ago when I was approached by Mr. Williams and he curiously asked me about my radio experience and if I have any interest in radio. I confessed to him that my love for radio has never died but my interest lies in the News spectrum of the media. Following that conversation, he asked me to come on board with his Radio One FM 94.1 team and give him some assistance in that aspect. However, the “talk around town” was that he was not a good person to work with and he was very cheap, but irrespective of those unpleasant remarks it was an opportunity that I craved for, and consequently I took up the challenge.
Although one may attest to the fact that there were some elements of cheapness in his spending, Mr. Williams certainly was not cheap in giving a smile, giving a cordial greeting, a pat on the back, encouraging words. He had possessed a jolly personality and was not cheap in giving some genuine good words of advice to create happiness and comfort.
Mr. Williams was not cheap in giving his service to the Carnival Committee as Chairman for a number of years and had somewhat moved Carnival to a higher level. Persons who have worked with him on various committees will agree with me that he brought commitment, excellence and professionalism to those committees. One calypsonian was so impress with Mr. Williams tenure at the helm that he penned a song that stated said “The Carnival gone English” in which he showered praise on Gus Williams.
Mr. Williams was considered cheap financially, but was he really cheap in the development of the country? He was the Federation’s Honorary Consul to Cuba and Brazil. Interestingly, when called upon to perform yeoman service for his country, there was never any sign of reluctance; he was always willing to jump on a plane to promote the Federation even if he did not know where he was going.
Mr. Williams was considered cheap by many; perhaps his tenants and his employees, but in the broad picture was he really cheap in molding young minds in radio, like Maurice ‘EK’ Flanders, Kelvin ‘DJ Kells’ Christopher and yours truly as the News Anchor for Radio 1 (one), as well as a host of others? We had good and bad times; but the good however out-numbered the bad.
I will truthfully miss him, his baritone English voice on a Sunday evening with his jazz music, his many news conferences and his high commendations and salutations to the Prime Minister whenever he gets up to ask a question, his laugh and a chuckle/rattle cough at times…yea! And, of course, my News Anchor experience with him.
Thanks Gus for the time, for the moments, for the opportunity. Gone but not forgotten and, like the Boys to Men song, ‘its hard.. .yes it’s really hard to say goodbye’. But to live is to die! May your sold rest in eternal peace.
