WILLIAMS — I will tell you that writing this article has become increasingly difficult. This is one of the times that I find it extremely difficult to separate the reporter from the subject.
Here’s the reporter stuff.
Friends and family gathered at the Senior Center in Williams in a standing-room only celebration of life for Larry Norfolk who passed away on July 9. The gathering was attended by the Williams City Mayor, John Moore, who is not always known for attending such gatherings. The crowd would probably have been larger except for the fact that many had jobs to go to.
Father Killian and Mayor John Moore join the Celebration of Life for Larry.
Father Killian of St. Joesph the Worker Catholic Church—the Church also put in many hours arranging a mass and this Celebration of Life—gave a prayer of intercession that the Lord would guide the soul of our friend to the eternal City of Jerusalem.
Like many of us, the Mayor recounted that when asked where Larry was from, we did not know. When asked what Larry’s last name, we did not know. He commented that Larry was to Williams what Cher is to America. He only needed one name. Larry. Because everyone knew Larry. Yet, like many of us, while the news of Larry’s passing spread quickly, many of us did not connect it to our Larry.
The Mayor also spoke of a research paper on success that he did in college and had to say that Larry was “very successful.”
The rest of the crowd shared stories of humor and love that Larry tended to generate whenever he met people. He was a true ambassador for Williams as representatives from the Williams Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce pointed out.
I have to admit that my “reporter instinct” failed at this celebration. For some reason, perhaps because of the solemn nature of the occasion, I failed to get the name of Larry’s brother and niece who brought the memorabilia representing the life of Larry Norfolk. I apologize.
Larry’s brother noted the toy soldiers which were lined up next to the Mickey Mouse items. He recounted how Larry had contracted polio as a child. He was bedridden for years while his family was an active family. Larry’s mother built a table so that the children could play. He was known as “Sarge” by the family. One time Larry apparently crossed his mother and she called him by his full name. Larry’s brother, being younger, looked at his mother and had to ask who that was.
Overcoming the polio, he told many of the attendees how he remembered playing basketball with brothers.
Continue reading
WILLIAMS — The Williams City Council approved body cams for the police department at the meeting on July 23. They also approved an Inter-governmental agreement with Coconino County to provide waste services to county residents outside the city limits.
WILLIAMS — Hidden Treasures Antiques re-opened in its old haunt at 125 W. Railroad Avenue next to Anna’s Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe. Troy Troutman moved into the location a few years ago before he moved into the mall. He, and partner Susan Pederson, have moved their stock back into this location.
WILLIAMS — How could we have forgotten the annual Bearizona Backwoods Bash? Some how this slipped our minds in our article on weekend events.
WILLIAMS — Memorial services for Larry Norfolk will be held at the Williams Senior Center on July 28 at 6 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a potluck dish for the services.
WILLIAMS — This Thursday July 23 the Williams City Council will meet in the council chambers of City Hall on 1st Street. The council will discuss and may approve on two matters.