[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 80 (Thursday, May 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E429-E430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. KENNETH WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2023

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of Mr. Kenneth Williams, an outstanding Mississippian, an influential 
businessman, a well-known philanthropist, and a beloved community 
member.
  Mr. Williams, a native of Corinth, Mississippi, first began 
contributing to his home state by working for his family's 
multigenerational business, Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works Inc., in 
1957. The business, known today as Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Group, 
was started by his grandfather in 1907. Mr. Williams currently serves 
as the company's CEO and chairman of the board, which has, with the 
help of his brother, Sandy, been expanded across parts of Mississippi, 
Arkansas, and Tennessee, serving over one million people.

[[Page E430]]

  Mr. Williams has served on various local, state, and national boards 
related to the soft drink industry and economic development. He served 
in leadership roles in Rotary and founded the Coke 10K Classic, one of 
the largest 10K races in Mississippi. He has served on the Mississippi 
Soft Drink Association board and the National Automatic Association and 
Trustmark Corporation in Jackson, Mississippi. He is also a past 
chairman of the Mississippi Economic Council.
  The value that Mr. Williams has added to his community is evidenced 
by his awards. In 2020, Mr. Williams was awarded the Red Raspberry 
Humanitarian Award. In 2009, Mr. Williams and his brother, Sandy, were 
joint recipients of CREATE's George McLean Award for Philanthropy along 
with their spouses.
  Mr. Williams represents one of four generations to attend the 
University of Mississippi. In honor of that legacy, his family sponsors 
the Corinth Coca-Cola Business Scholarship Endowment and formalized the 
Refreshments Inc. Partners in Business Scholarship Fund, which offers 
support to University of Mississippi's School of Business 
Administration students.
  Over 80 years old, Mr. Williams has completed over 75 marathons on 
the 3 continents, including 22 consecutive Boston Marathons. At one 
point, he ranked fifth in the world in the 80+ age division of marathon 
runners. Mr. Williams has added cycling, swimming, skydiving, and 
bungee jumping to his list of hobbies to try.
  Mr. Williams and his late wife, Nancy Ann Kincade Williams, were 
married for over 55 years. The couple has 4 children: Nan Williams 
Green (Stuart), Sara Williams Berry (Mont), Ken Williams (Edi), and 
Martin Williams (Adriene), most of whom reside in the Great State of 
Mississippi. His sons, Ken and Martin, are now part of the family 
business.
  I commend Mr. Williams for a life that is so well lived and is such 
an example to others.

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