A Legacy of Giving

When Andy Williams passed away in 2021, he left behind a legacy as a business leader who always gave back to his community. It’s a tradition his family -- wife Wendy and children Matthew and Berni -- are carrying on in Andy’s honour.

From left to right, Berni, Wendy, Matt, and Jack Williams, with the support of family, friends, and local businesses, continue to build upon Andy’s legacy of giving back to the community.

He was, above all, a kind man,” says Wendy. 

The Williams family set up the Andy Williams Memorial Fund, a donor-advised fund with the Fredericton Community Foundation. Already, the funds have helped establish two $1,000 memorial scholarships to be awarded annually to two graduating students of Fredericton High School and Leo Hayes High School.

Matthew recalls his parents routinely taking in at-risk youth when he was a child or covering fees and other costs for young athletes to play sports when their families couldn’t afford to.

“It’s had a great impact on me,” Matthew says. “It instilled in me the importance of giving back to people in need.”

The family hosts the Andy Williams Memorial Golf Tournament each year, with all money raised flowing into the Memorial Fund. Matthew credits the Fredericton Community Foundation for working closely with donors to meet their needs.

“They can make your vision come to life,” he says. “They manage the nuts and bolts of it while we can focus on raising the money and choosing how the funding is dispersed into the community.”