By Jay Sorgi • Posted August 14, 2026

Kevin Williams was never a Fortune 500 CEO. He never got famous in 46 years working with Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, except in the minds and hearts of the thousands of seniors and others in the South Philly community to whom he gave his service and heart beyond the call of duty.

Hundreds of those family members, friends and colleagues joined community leaders at St. Edmond Senior Community Center Thursday, July 30, his last day of working there.

They lauded Williams’ work through more than four-and-a-half decades of faithful service to the needs of people first at St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Philadelphia and the former St. Charles Senior Community Center, then at St. Edmond as its kitchen manager and maintenance team leader, his final stop before retirement.

“My mother and grandmother told me, whatever you do, do it from your heart and do the best you can, so that’s what I did,” the man of the hour said.

Williams had such a work ethic and level of dedication that he had kept a running total of more than 1,000 hours of unused paid time off.

That’s how much the senior community center, and the opportunity to get to know each individual and touch their life there, has meant to him.

“Kevin’s here every day. It’s just recently that they had to make him take off one day a week before his retirement because he would not take off,” Eugena Brooks said.

She has served beside Kevin at St. Edmond for seven years, and readily speaks of Williams’ commitment to his faith and sharing it with those in greatest need.

“He has people that come here on a regular basis for lunches that they take out, and he knows who they are, the neighborhood, the community,” she added. “When people come in for emergency food, he will have a bag ready for them.”

Ann Tymes has seen Williams come in to the center on his off days to make arrangements for people who simply have no food. They only need to ask for his help, and he will minister to them through presence and provision.

She has known that gift of presence from Williams for decades.

“I’ve known him ever since he was at St. Rita. I was introduced to him there and then as he (came) over to St. Charles, he would take my mother to and from my home to the center,” she said. “It is a ministry and not a job.”

Plummer Parker has called Williams a friend for 20 years, especially becoming close in the last two years. He remarked how Williams’ effect isn’t always prevalent, unless you get to  know him personally, his humor and his personal dedication.

“A lot of people don’t know what Kevin does. Everything Kevin does, it goes unnoticed, until today,” Parker said on Williams’ retirement day. “Everybody’s showing support today because they love Kevin.”

That list of “everybody” even ranged to Philadelphia political leaders, as he received commendations from both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the State Senate for his tireless dedication beyond the norm.

“Kevin is a unique individual. They don’t make someone like Kevin anymore,” said Suzanne O’Grady Laurito, the director of Catholic Housing and Community Services, a ministry of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia.

“I remember the very first time I met you,” she told Williams. “You were walking the seniors up the way to the first place, and your patience and your compassion just showed through in that simple act.”

It was a typical loving gesture that Williams did “every day, all the time, for 46-plus years,” she said.

Catholic Charities of Philadelphia Secretary and Executive Vice President Heather Huot could not miss this party, one that honored someone she called “unflappable,” a continual problem solver whenever his job and church needed him.

“There is one word that I can think of to describe you,” she told Williams, “and that is unflappable. You just keep moving forward and solve the problem.

“Someone asked me this week, what was my thing that I was looking forward to the most this week? And I said, it’s today. We’re going to get to go celebrate with a colleague. He’s been with us over 45 years.”

That celebration abounded with decibel-climbing laughter, singing and dancing that ranged from old-school soul to spirit-raising gospel, and enough stories to pack a 46-year memory book.

It all came from hundreds of people who saw God within Williams. They said  “thank you” with the same presence, warmth, laughter and joy he gave others, which allowed him after the party to recognize how he has fulfilled his family’s mission.

“I believe Grandmom and Mom are looking down on me saying, ‘You did a fine job,’” he said. “Job well done.”