A teacher, coach, Board member, and environmental consultant, Bob Williams can add another title to his resume – Knight of Distinction.

Williams, a 1961 graduate of Windsor Central High School, is the latest member of WCHS’ Knights of Distinction, established to honor special individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Windsor Central School District or graduates who have attained outstanding high school or lifetime achievements.

“I’m honored. I was definitely surprised,” said Williams.

Williams was class president and excelled in wrestling at Windsor, winning the Windsor Christmas Tournament and a Section IV championship. After earning a degree in Education from SUNY Oswego and a masters in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont, Williams began his teaching and coaching career in Oswego, eventually returning to Broome County to teach science at Susquehanna Valley and Vestal High School.   

In 1968, Williams began his work in the environmental field.  Along with Jeffery Barnes, he formed Barnes-Williams Environmental Consultants following their work on the Susitna Hydroelectric project in Alaska.   He continued his fish-passage work in New York State, working with federal agencies throughout the Hudson, Mohawk, Black, Grasse, Raquette and Susquehanna Rivers.  As oil and gas projects expanded throughout the country in the ‘80s & 90’s, so did the work of BWEC, whose efforts reached from coast to coast.   

“When I started, it was before the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. Today, it’s hard to imagine the impact those laws have had,” said Williams. “We’re looking at different environmental issues today, but I’m a big believer in technology. Somebody will come up with a solution.”

Williams served on the Windsor Board of Education from 1976-1986.  He was also a founder of the Windsor Dollars for Scholars Program, now existing as the Black Knight Funds, which has provided tens of thousands of dollars of scholarships to Windsor students over the years.

“I am actually very proud of how the school has done. When I graduated from here, it was down the street, the other school. One of the things that happened after we started Dollars for Scholars here, my wife started one at Binghamton High School,” said Williams.

For his contributions to the environment, community, and Windsor Central High School, WCHS recognizes Robert Williams as a 2022 Windsor Knight of Distinction.