Barbara McWilliams is being inducted into the Lodi Community Hall of Fame for her contributions in community service, which includes her work in improving Downtown Lodi. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Lodi Hall of Fame

Barbara McWilliams recognized for commitment to Downtown

Since she was a little girl, Barbara McWilliams has had a love for Lodi. She had a vision for what Downtown could become. This eventually inspired her to work with others in improving what she feels is the heart of Lodi.

"I had a natural love for Downtown and what it could be," she said. "It's kind of an anchor for the city."

For her contributions to the community in community service, McWilliams was named to the Lodi Community Hall of Fame.

Other inductees this year include Bertram Bulkin, a retired director of scientific space programs, for his contributions in government; Jerry Fry, manager of Mohr-Fry Ranches, Inc., for contributions in agriculture; Richard Jones, president and CEO of the Lodi Boys and Girls Club, for community service; Carol Marvel, retired librarian who has served in various community organizations, for community service; and Guy Wakefield, a former high school teacher, who was chosen posthumously for his contributions in education.

Guided by her love and passion for the city, McWilliams said she never expected the recognition.

"It's a very nice feeling to know people appreciated what you did," she said. The former owner of Poser's TV and Radio from 1985 to 2003, McWilliams first began serving the community in the '70s, when she joined the American Association of University Women. While there, she served as treasurer and worked on the book sale fund-raiser each year. In the '80s, she became involved in the Downtown revitalization as a member of the United Downtown Improvement District Committee.

The project originally began, she said, because there was talk about turning Downtown's streets into one-way streets. She, along with a few others, were against the idea.

"It wasn't something we felt was going to be beneficial to Downtown," she said.

In the early '90s, McWilliams served on the committee for Downtown's second revitalization. The project, which began and was completed in 1997, included the gateway arch near Lion's Restaurant. She said the addition added a way to announce the entrance into Downtown.

McWilliams feels rewarded on her visits to Downtown. Seeing the results of all of her efforts gives her a special thrill. Though she feels the work will never be complete.

"You're always going to have to upgrade but still you're still going to need to keep the flavor of old Downtown," she said.

Tony Segale, a friend who has worked with her on various committees, said McWilliams gives 100 percent of herself.

"Anything that needs to be done, she does it," he said. "It seems like she has a tireless effort to every community service she can get involved in."

Her most recent project was her involvement with the Lodi Wall Dog Committee, which brought 100 artists from the U.S. and Canada to to create murals around Downtown. In addition to serving on the organizing committee, she arranged meals for the artists and chaired Lodi's 100th birthday celebration.

She hopes the murals, which depict pieces of Lodi's history, will someday end up helping Lodi's wine industry.

Her other contributions to the community include the Lodi Sunrise Rotary Club, where she served as secretary and president and was one of the founding members who organized the Lodi Sunrise Century bike ride fund-raiser held in May every year. She also served as assistant district governor for Rotary District 5220. McWilliams participated in the Lodi Downtown Business Association, the precursor to the Downtown Lodi Business Partnership. She worked on a committee to help organize the annual Christmas Light Parade and from 1999 to 2002, served as one of the committee members to help establish the Lodi Public Library Foundation.

Aside from four months in 1967, McWilliams has lived in Lodi her entire life. She graduated from Lodi High School in 1962 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from University of California, Davis in 1966. She and her husband, Lewis McWilliams, have two children and one grandchild.

Lewis McWilliams said he is excited to see her being recognized for her work.

"She has devoted a lot of time to Downtown, to the community and to her family," he said.

The Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Lodi Boys and Girls Club. Inductees will be honored at a dinner and program scheduled for Oct. 11 at the Boys and Girls Club, 1050 S. Stockton St. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased by calling the club at 334-2697.