August 2008

 Happy Birthday, Dr. Sid!

Dr. Sid Williams and his wife, Dr. Nell Williams, cut into his 80th birthday cake as family, colleagues and well wishers look on. More than 500 people showed up for the celebration, held in Atlanta.

Profession celebrates Sid Williams' 80th birthday

On Friday night, May 30, 2008, the Legacy Ballroom of Atlanta's Embassy Suites Centennial Olympic Park Hotel was filled to overflowing as more than 500 people came to pay their respects and celebrate the birthday of a true chiropractic legend, Sid E. Williams, DC.

Held during one of Dr. William's Dynamic Essentials seminars, the 80th birthday celebration and tribute was a never-to-be-forgotten event.

Numerous political, educational and athletic notables paid their respects to Williams in person or by letter. Heading the list and speaking in person to the huge crowd was Georgia's 5th District Congressman John Lewis. The Congressman has served 21 years in Washington and was one of Dr. Martin Luther King's lieutenants during the early days of the civil rights movements.

He spoke of the long friendship he has enjoyed with Drs. Sid and Nell Williams and of the outstanding leadership that they have provided the citizens of Georgia and the chiropractic profession.

Georgia's governor, Sonny Perdue, along with Georgia's two U.S. Senators, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, sent letters of congratulations.

Gerard Clum, DC, president of Life Chiropractic College West and president of the World Federation of Chiropractic, spoke of the significant impact Williams had on his personal life and on the chiropractic profession.

Letters and cards of congratulations from several other college presidents along with gifts were received and acknowledged. Among those chiropractic dignitaries were Donald Kern, DC, president of Palmer College; Fabrizio Mancini, DC, president of Parker Chiropractic College; Jean Moss, DC, president of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College; and Guy Riekeman, DC, president of Life University.

Jerry Hardee, DC, former president of Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic, now dean of undergraduate studies at Life University, attended the event and expressed his deep respect for Williams, who went out of his way to welcome Dr. Hardee into the ranks of chiropractic college presidents when he became president of Sherman.

Terry Rondberg, DC, president and founder of the World Chiropractic Alliance and publisher of The Chiropractic Journal was unable to attend the event but sent a letter to Williams telling him that if the chiropractic profession ever gave out the equivalent of filmdom's "Oscar" awards, "you'd enjoy a sweep that would put 'Gone with the Wind' to shame. First, you'd win the Best Director award, for helping guide our profession in the right direction and keeping it from becoming an X-rated parody of medicine. Then, you'd grab the Best Actor award for your amazing performance as a motivational speaker and imparting wisdom and inspiration to thousands of students and chiropractors around the globe. And finally, you'd win the BEST MOTION PICTURE award. Your entire life has been a stirring documentary of what one man can do when driven by dedication, compassion and love."

Frank Broyles, athletic director emeritus of the University of Arkansas and Ray Graves, former coach of the University of Florida, sent notes of congratulations. Both were assistant coaches under Georgia Tech's legendary Bobby Dodd when Williams played football there in the early 1950s.

Congratulations were also received from John K. Maltby, DC, president of the International Chiropractors Association; Jim Sigafoose, DC, long-time DE chiropractor and internationally known chiropractic philosopher and consultant; and Christopher Kent, DC, and Patrick Gentempo, DC, of Chiropractic Leadership Alliance.

A letter was also received from Charles Gibson of Success Academy who stated: "I knew from the day that I met you at Palmer College in the early '50's that you…would make an impact on the Chiropractic profession far greater than the average."

Former Yellow Jacket head basketball coach, Bobby Cremins, now head coach of men's basketball at the College of Charleston, expressed his congratulations and appreciation of Williams' support of the men's basketball program while he coached at Georgia Tech.

From the official cake cutting and the singing of "Happy Birthday"… to an enjoyable video presentation of the Williams' lives produced by their daughter, Dr. Kim Williams… to Gene Asher, long-time friend recalling Williams' outstanding accomplishments while attending Atlanta's Tech High School… impersonations of Williams by Drs. Alan Payne and Tom Zink… and the dropping of the keys led by Dr. Bob Braile depicting one of Williams' unique and well-remembered demonstrations explaining the chiropractic principle, the entire evening was one never to be forgotten.