March 15, 1979

"Bill Williams Monument Plans Unveiled"

Williams Grand Canyon News March 15, 1979

Pictured is the 16” prototype of the  Bill Williams Monument with Bill William Mountain in the background. The finished statue will stand eight feet in height and weigh nearly 1000 pounds. Local artist Bill Pettit has agreed to do the artwork for cost of materials only. The Williams City Council will decide the location along Bill Williams Avenue where the monument will be placed.

Plans for a larger than life bronze monument were unveiled this week in separate presentations to local groups. The monument will depict Bill Williams, the mountain man that the community was named after.

Local artist Bill Pettit has agreed the work for "expenses only.” It seems Mr. Pettit has planned on doing such a project for several years but needed assistance in promoting the idea to townspeople. Bill completed a prototype casting of what the monument will resemble, (see photos), and has insured the casting for $2260.

Projected cost of the eight foot model is $3500. This figure represents only the cost of materials and related expenses. Mr. Pettit will work in collaboration with Dr. Winthrop Williams at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Dr. Williams helped Bill arrive at the estimated cost and will lend his expertise as a supervising instructor.

 One reason the monument will be such a bargain is that Mr. Pettit will have access to the NAU Foundry for the final castings. It is protected that the casting process alone would cost nearly $16,000 if it were contracted out.

 Presentations have been made to three local organizations: The Williams Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, The Bill Williams Mountain Men, and The Williams Business Association. The Bill Williams Mountain Men expressed their support for the project, shortly after a presentation by Dennis and Doug Wells, by handing over a check for $1000 to Doug Wells.

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