About Bud L. Williams

Bud L. Williams is a people person. A community builder. An advocate. A trusted leader.A life-long resident of Springfield, Bud grew up in the heart of the city's North End. As a young man he worked at a family-owned grocery store in the neighborhood where he learned early on the value of hard work for a well-earned wage and reinvesting in the community.He knows the benefit of giving back to a city that gave him so much.Bud is a long-time public servant, serving for 16 years on the Springfield City Council. He is a believer in the city's young people. And an educator. A graduate of Roger L. Putnam High School, Bud exemplifies the value of Springfield's education system as a pathway to success. He earned degrees from Springfield Technical Community College, Westfield State College and a Masters in Education from the University of Massachusetts. He has taught in the city's public school system, a charge that his family continues. His wife of 37 years Dr. Gloria J. (Bass) Williams is principal at Frank H. Freedman Elementary School; his daughter Keisa is an assistant principal, and his son Kamari, a graduate of Rhode Island College, works with city youth. Bud is chairman of the Trustee Board of Mount Zion Baptist Church; former co-chairman of the Springfield Youth Commission; a member of the city's Dads Make a Difference Program; a former member of the Dunbar Community Center Alumni Board and has coached for the Youth Sports Program.Bud is a fighter of public safety for the residents of Springfield. A man who takes a zero tolerance stance on crime.For 32 years, Bud worked as a probation officer in the Springfield District Court system. He has often stated that helping someone avoid trouble was the most rewarding part of his job, while watching someone get locked up was the worse."I believe public safety is the most important issue of our city because it affects so many other city issues such as economic development and job opportunity for residents,” Williams says. He also knows there is no "clean sweep" approach to improving public safety, but that a coordinated, comprehensive plan involving all levels of law enforcement and community support is needed to reduce crime and keep citizens safe.Bud is a man who speaks from the heart. Listens to the voices of the community. Works tirelessly to serve others.He has served two terms as President of the City Council and was a member of the Finance Control Board in 2008. He is chairman of the council's Planning and Economic Development Committee and has served on many community boards including the Urban League of Greater Springfield, the Salvation Army, and the South End Community Center.He's a grassroots kind of guy who believes in residents of Springfield.Bud supports Springfield Jobs for Springfield people. And attracting new businesses to the city to foster economic development. “I am willing, excited, and ready to rise to the challenge of continuing to serve the citizens of Springfield, and continuing to make sure that city government does what is best for the people.” “I ask for your vote for Mayor of the City of Springfield.He believes in a better Springfield.