CLEVELAND, Tenn. - For those who see the American flag flying at half-staff over City Hall today and Wednesday, it's in memory of Randy Williford.
Many Clevelanders knew Williford, who died Sunday morning, only as the always-smiling man with a friendly wave at the wheel of the city's big sweeper truck.
City officials, including the City Council, remembered him Monday with fondness and stories.
Cleveland Mayor Tom RowlandMayor Tom Rowland told about seeing Williford get out of his truck one day and walk across a busy street to pick up some trash.
"Now, that debris would have blown away in a few minutes," Rowland said. "But he saw it and couldn't ignore it. That's the kind of public servant he was."
City Manager Janice Casteel recalled riding with Williford in the big truck one early morning and watching in awe as he turned 180 degrees to get to the other side of the street.
"I told him I would have at least wiped out a fire hydrant," she said. "He was very talented."
Williford was supposed to start his workday at 5 a.m., city Public Works Director Tommy Myers said he often started earlier.
When the city and county held the dedication of the renovated library and its new addition last year, Williford swept the streets around the library. And then, Casteel said, he went back early on the morning of the big day just to be sure.
Williford, sometimes on his own time, worked with Keep America Beautiful's local chapter, as well.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Rush Funeral Home, Wildwood Chapel. The funeral service is at 7 p.m.
Contact Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com or 423-314-1029.