KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE
Lovie Williams stays behind the wheel after 40 years in a bus
STORY BY JOSEPH BROWN
It ’ s that time of the year when kids head back to class . But , the people who help them get there and stay there — school bus drivers , lunch staff , office staff , custodians — are getting back into full swing as well .
You may have already seen some yellow buses on the roads in the past few weeks , but driving a school bus entails more than just working the gas pedals and steering wheel .
And when you think of school bus drivers at Huntsville ISD , many in the district think of Lovie Williams . The beloved member of the HISD transportation department has driven a bus , in both rain or shine , nearly every day for over 40 years .
“ I had two friends in my neighborhood that were bus drivers , and I knew that if they could do it then I could do it ,” Williams said about why she started driving a bus in 1981 . “ It ’ s an amazing feeling to sit behind the steering wheel and drive down the roads .”
Throughout her four decades , Williams has explored nearly every nook and cranny of the school district that spans over most of Walker
County . While stressful at times , it ’ s a job that Williams takes seriously . “ The best part of the job is taking care of all those babies on the bus . You have their lives in your hands , so it ’ s a lot of responsibility to make sure they are safe ,” she noted . “ I love it and have enjoyed it all the way through .”
Williams is now at a point where she is driving the children and grandchildren of the students that she first drove to school in the 80 ’ s .
“ I feel that I have touched so many kid ’ s lives . I helped some children with issues at home and at school and that ’ s very satisfying ,” Williams said . However , how much longer she will drive a bus remains to be seen . “ All year long ( 2020 ) I said that I wasn ’ t coming back , but as we got closer and closer to this school year I finally decided to come back . And I ’ m happy I did ,” Williams said .
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The best part of the job is taking care of all those babies on the bus . You have their lives in your hands , so it ’ s a lot of responsibility to make sure they are safe .
We slow smoke to perfection in-house over natural Texas oak wood .
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1702 11th St . • Huntsville , Texas 77340 936-730-3560
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER , 2021 | 17