FFA PRESIDENT WELCOMES WILLIAMS TO NATIONAL CONVENTION
Drefus Williams (right) with Javier Moreno, National
FFA President
LOUISVILLE, KY…Retired Sumter County Agricultural Educator Drefus Williams was welcomed to the recent National FFA Convention by National FFA President Javier Moreno of Puerto Rico, according to John W. Parris, State Director of Public Affairs for the SC FFA Association. The convention was held in Louisville, KY, October 27-30, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center.
Williams was greeted by Moreno at the opening of the National Agricultural Career and Technology Show held in conjunction with the National FFA Convention which was attended by more than 50,000 FFA members, their advisors, parents, school administrators, sponsors and other supporters.
A nationally recognized agricultural educator, Williams taught for many years at Manchester School, Furman High School and Lakewood High School until his retirement in l996. A native of Sumter County, Williams is a graduate of South Carolina State University and did graduate study at Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.
Still active as an educator, Williams regularly hosts a Farm and Environmental Show for local students at his farm, Old Spain Ranch, located on Highway 15.
Williams continues to serve as a judge for FFA Public Speaking events in the Pee Dee Region and coaches public speaking to youth in his church and community. The director of the Drama Ministry at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, he is also a member of the Board of the Paxville Community Development Center.
A recipient of the National and State New Farmers of America (NFA) Honorary Degree, he has been awarded the Honorary American FFA Degree. He has also been named winner of the H. O. Sargent Agricultural Diversity Promotion Award by the National FFA Organization.
