The Centralia Halloween Parade Committee has named Herb Williams as Grand Marshal of this year’s parade.
Parade Chair Butch Mathus made the announcement at the committee’s Thursday night meeting.
“He worked with basketball and helping the youth center and the kids in the community. He served as the mayor of the city of Centralia, and now is working at the Centralia Rec Complex,” Mathus said. “His lifelong dedication to the youth in our area is to be commended, so let’s give Herbert another round of applause.”
Williams was at the meeting to accept the honor.
“It’s an honor, it’s a pleasure, and it’s shocking. What I do, I don’t do for myself, I do for kids. Because I’ve said from a long, long time ago, if we don’t keep our kids, and our kids are not happy and they continue to leave here, then we’re going to fail as a community. For us to continue to survive, we need to have our kids stay home. The more we can give them an opportunity to stay here, work here, live here, and raise their families here, the better off our city’s going to be.”
Williams noted he wasn’t born in Centralia, but moved in during 4th grade. He later moved again to Terre Haute, Indiana, but was unhappy and eventually got his parents to return and he graduated from Centralia High School. Williams then went on to a college coaching career before returning to Centralia in retirement and getting involved in numerous youth activities.
Mathus reported to the committee parade entries are now coming in. He wants them all in before October 18th when the parade lineup will be put together. At that point, any late entries will go at the end of the parade route.
The committee has also been busy putting pumpkins on street light poles. Around 150 in all will be on display for the Halloween season.
