Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 5 of 9 · from the scan, no model involved
qualifying for associate membership in the American Society of Heating and Ventilation Engineers. Next, he signed up for additional technical courses at the University of Pennsylvania. But John Williams wasn’t satisfied with knowing the ins and outs of heating systems and air conditioners. He needed more than expertise with bricks and mortar for self-fulfillment. Always a deeply religious person with strong ties to his Baptist heritage, Williams entered Manna Bible Institute, graduating in 1958. The pull towards home brought him to Washington, D.C.. where he spent a decade in the building business, and finally back to Rappahannock in 1969. “My mother was getting feeble
ipd as the oldest son, 1 felt er place was in my home,” lie explained. That year. Williams and his wife started their own house. The long years spent mastering the construction trade from masonry to air conditioners were put to good use as Williams was able to do just about everything himself.
Back To Studies
After putting up a home from foundation to roof, most 67-year-old men would be ready for retirement in the front porch rocker but John Williams still heard school bells ringing, calling him to class at Lord Fairfax Community College over the mountains in Middletown.
"Being in charge of the farm acreage, I wanted to be more knowledgeable about real estate and land.” Williams explained. In addition, a legal dispute with the county over dividing the property between the seven Williams heirs steered him towards zoning issues, he added.
Going back to school as a senior citizen wasn't easy. Williams recalled his nervousness over competing for grades with youngsters just out of high school. At 67, he weighed his reservations against his thirst for knowledge and the scales tipped in favor of learning.
”1 didn’t take courses indiscriminately just to be taking something,” he said. "AH my courses were related to the business 1 was interested in. .. I started off taking what I wanted to know about and then fit it into a curriculum with required studies."
One of the required courses was a class in college reading. “I had some difficulty when it began to get complex. You know, at my
90.9%