128 Years of Family Serving Family: Bonita Williams, Robins AFB/Moody AFB

One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 128 years of family serving family.

Who she is: Bonita Williams, general manager office assistant, Robins AFB/Moody AFB

Years with the Exchange: 38 years

Military connections: Husband Master Sgt. Roderick Williams served in the Air Force for 26 years and currently works at Robins Air Force Base in a civilian capacity. He will retire this month after 20 years. Two of her brothers have also served in the military: one is a Vietnam Veteran and one served four years in the Marine Corps.

Where she’s worked: Following her husband through his military career, Williams has worked at Minot AFB, MacDill AFB, Vandenberg AFB, Holloman AFB/White Sands/Fort Bliss and Robins AFB/Moody AFB.

What she did at first: Williams first heard of the Exchange at new orientation when her husband was assigned to Minot AFB. She began as a stocker at the Express before moving to the main store, where she worked her way up to central checkout supervisor and customer service supervisor.

Memorable moments: Her first week at Holloman as an office assistant, she had to page for an associate named Jesus to pick up the daily mail from the post office. Unfamiliar with the Spanish pronunciation of the name, Williams announced on the intercom, “I need Jesus to come to the back office.” When no one came, she repeated the request. A couple of teammates popped their heads into her office to ask if she was OK. “Yes, I’m fine,” Williams told them. As the gentleman from the post office was growing impatient and continually calling the office, Williams repeated her announcement on the intercom more urgently several times. Her general manager came into her office, a little confused and concerned. “Yes, Jesus is needed everywhere,” he said. Williams responded: “I just need him to pick up the mail at the post office!”

Best part of working for the Exchange: “I like the people and getting to pay it forward, especially with the younger troops and their spouses because many don’t have much knowledge of the Exchange” Williams said. “I get a kick out of that because you think back to where you’ve been.

“I consider it a privilege to ‘talk up’ the Exchange—who we are, what we do, whom we serve and the fact that we go wherever the troops and their families go. It gives the Exchange an entirely different meaning!”

Family serving family: “The Exchange is like an exclusive club. We’re part of a special team and share a connection with anybody associated with the installation, especially considering the many sacrifices we all make and have made simply by being a part of the military community,” Williams said. “I’m not in the military, but I can still serve the troops and their families, even if it’s just sharing my knowledge, a kind word or simply an acknowledgment when walking down the sidewalk, eating in the food court or shopping in our facilities.”