Former Hobart High principal ‘about every person, every day’
Williams dies at 73, remembered as an inspiration
Sherry Williams enjoyed living on Lake Michigan, joking with colleagues and most of all, supporting the host of Hammond and Hobart High School students whose paths she crossed during her career as an educator.
The f ormer Hobart High principal died Dec. 5 in Palmetto, Fla., at age 73.
“Sherry Williams is one of the most incredible people one could ever have the chance to meet and know,” said Hobart Superintendent Peggy Buffington. “She was a very action oriented and visionary educator.”
Williams spent 14 years at Hobart as athletic director, assistant principal and principal until her retirement in 2002.
She began her education career in the School City of Hammond as a physical education teacher and also coached volleyball and basketball at Hammond and Morton high schools. She was also athletic director at Morton.
Buffing ton credited
Williams with leading Hobart High’s Goals 2000 federal initiative towards becoming a high school of excellence. She also started the Career Pathways program in 2000-01.
“She was about every person, every day. She could light a room up with her laughter. The word that best describes her is ‘joy!’” said Buffington.
Penny Allen, a Hobart parent and also a Hammond co-worker, described Williams as an inspiration to students.
“My daughter Emily said she was always out in the hallway every passing period,” said Allen. “She knew every student in the high school by name; it’s just amazing how involved she was with every student at Hobart High.
“She was just the best. She had such a big heart.”
Don Rogers was a teacher at Hobart when Williams arrived.
“She was an outstanding person and she was excellent with students,” said Rogers who’s now retired and a member of the Hobart School Board.
“She cared about students and the staff enjoyed working for her.”
Rogers said he enjoyed visits to the lakefront home in Miller that Williams shared with her wife, Letty Hicks. Together, t hey spent many evenings on the porch watching the sun set on the water.
In retirement, Williams volunteered at the Hobart Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels.
In 2017, she and Hicks moved to Palmetto, Fla.
Family members are planning a celebration of life at a later date.
Donations in Williams’ memory may be made to the Hobart Food Pantry, 200 S. Hobart Road, Hobart IN 46342.