By Bonitta Best
George “Pup” Williams has more track and field awards and accolades than you can shake a stick at. And he’s appreciative of them all.
But if the latest one comes to fruition, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t, it will be the ultimate cherry on a very high and mountainous cake.
Led by North Carolina Senator Dan Blue, Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem Corey Branch and the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Valerie Jordan, travelers along I-440 near New Bern Avenue will see Williams’ name on the beltway signage.
The Raleigh City Council last week unanimously approved the measure that still must go through the NCDOT Board of Transportation. But, really, who’s going to argue?
“Oh Jesus! I love my city, you know? It has always been there for me and for that kind of honor from people still thinking about me after all this time, it’s something that your family can always see or remember,” Williams said by phone.
Williams said Blue was the catalyst that started the chain reaction. They all go way back but, then again, who doesn’t know about Williams, his accomplishments and putting St. Augustine’s College/University on the map.