Charles and Ada Williams
In 1916, Charles and Ada Williams bought a farm in the southern portion of Washington County. The couple had three daughters: Harriet, Wilma and Margaret. They instilled in them the desire to work hard and learn as much as they could in life.
All three girls ended up being tied to the field of law in one aspect or another. It was their youngest, Harriet, who actually became a lawyer and practiced in Hawaii. After her parents died, Harriett and her husband bought out her siblings and owned the family farm outright. They then decided to start a scholarship at West Washington High School in her parents’ names to honor them for their contribution to Washington County.
Although the girls grew up and moved away, no one would have guessed the legacy this family would leave in Washington County.
In 1986, Harriet and her husband, Stephen, formed the Charles and Ada Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc. The purpose of the fund was to memorialize the contribution of Charles R. Williams and Ada C. Williams to the development and improvement of Washington County, Indiana, through their work and contributions in kind to the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District, the West Washington School Corporation, and community facilities of Howard Township.
Every year, four recipients of the scholarship are awarded: two boys and two girls. Applicants must write an essay on one of three subjects: soil and water conservation issues affecting Washington County, school organization issues affecting West Washington School Corporation or local government issues affecting the residents of Washington County. The scholarships are for four years, as long as the student remains enrolled in college.
In the 23 years of its existence, the scholarship has provided approximately $270,000 worth of scholarships to 88 West Washington High School graduates.
Harriet died in 1998 in Honolulu County, Hawaii and her husband in 2008. After his death, the residence on the farm and all the land was eventually sold with all the money, $763,531.88, going to the scholarship fund. The West Washington School Board decided to take the money and give it to the Washington County Community Foundation to continue the Williams Scholarship Fund.
