WILLIAMS BAY LIONS CLUB ORIGIN

There was a group of Williams Bay men who were accustomed to meeting for coffee and fellowship in a Bay restaurant; this was in early 1946. The restaurant was owned and operated by Al & Myrtle Hill and the restaurant was in what is now the Williams Bay Washeteria.

They called themselves "The Windjammers" and the time came when they felt they should achieve some type of controlled organization whereby they would channel their energies into a constructive unity for the betterment of their fellow man. This club then became interestedd in The Lions International Organization. It was at this time that the Lake Geneva Lions Club was interested in chartering this new club. This was the start of the Williams Bay Lions Club.

There were 38 Charter Members and they at the Ainsworth House, now a private dwelling on the north side of Congress Street.

The Charter Members are listed elsewhere in this book; there are no longer any Charter Members as Active Member of our Club, most are now deceased.

The Williams Bay Lions Club was chartered in September of 1946, and the original Charter, with the signatures of the Charter Members, is displayed at our meeting place.

It is the sincere wish of your board of Directors that we strive to emulate the dedication displayed by these fine Gentlemen in the difficult formulative years of the Club, and that it continues, for many years to come, to be a thriving constructive member of the International family of Lions Clubs International.