SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - One Springfield school is honoring State Representative Bud Williams on Friday evening by naming their gymnasium after him. Western Mass News headed to Putnam Vocational Technical Academy to bring you more on the celebration.

The celebration was in honor of Bud Williams kicked off at 6 p.m. here inside the Putnam Gymnasium.

City leaders including Mayor Domenic Sarno and Superintendent of Springfield Schools, Sonia Dinnall were in attendance for tonight’s event. Representative Williams is a graduate of Putnam High School and is also a lifelong Springfield resident.

On his high school basketball team, Williams made history as Putnam’s first 1,000-point scorer. he was named to the all-city basketball team twice and named to the all-western Mass basketball team as well. After high school, Williams went on to coach youth basketball for many years in the City of Springfield.

Prior to winning his election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2017, he served as a Springfield City Councilor, from 1993 to 2008 and again from 2011 to 2017. Now in his fourth term as State Representative of the 11th Hampden District, Williams continues to serve the Springfield Community he calls home.

Friday’s dedication also carrying a special meaning for Williams, it comes just years after his son, Kamari Williams, a beloved Springfield High School basketball coach, passed away in 2020.

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