The Dallas Cummings Recreation Center Renamed Hiawatha Williams Recreation Center

The Dallas Park Board voted to rename the Cummings Recreation Center to Hiawatha Williams Recreation Center, after the founder of Williams Chicken.

On March 10, the Dallas Park Board renamed the Cummings Recreation Center in honor of Hiawatha Williams.

Mr. Williams started in the chicken business nearly 50 years ago. He started out mopping floors and working at Church’s Chicken. After many years in the business Mr. Williams decided he needed more.

From there he decided to open up his very own chicken joint right in sunny South Dallas.

He called it William’s Chicken and started pay between $7.50 and $8 for his employees.

April will make 30 years since he opened up his first William’s Chicken.

Although he has made a good living he can still be found working overnight in the kitchen helping fry chicken.

William’s long time friend and business partner says although it’s his friends time to go and enjoy life and play golf. He believes he’d rather be in the kitchen cooking.

Williams has recently been recognized with a Minority Business Leader Award from the Dallas Business Journal.