Fort Worth, Texas, USA
The universe wouldn’t know about a newly-discovered solar system full of Earthlike planets, all of which could have liquid water, without the ingenuity and skill of Machinists Union members. Astronomers announced Wednesday that a telescope orbiting Earth had detected seven warm, rocky planets orbiting a star just 39 light-years away. It’s the most terrestrial planets
Source: IAM Members Had Hand in a Groundbreaking Planet Discovery – IAMAW
Steve Williams, 97, died of natural causes on Monday, February 20, 2017 at HEB Hospital in Bedford, TX.
Funeral Service: 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Lucas Funeral Home Chapel,
1321 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, TX; Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Friday at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Community Learning Center, 555 North Grants Lane, Ft. Worth, TX 76108.
Mr. Williams was born and reared in El Dorado, Arkansas to Jim W. Williams and Agnes Crawford Williams. He was the last survivor of twelve children. He married Pauline Zaio and had a son, Dale Williams who are both deceased.
During World War II, Steve joined the Army Air Corp and flew cargo missions in China, India, and Burma over the Himalayan Mountains.
After the war, Steve became a machinist and later became heavily involved in the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers/AFL-CIO (IAM-AW). He retired as a Grand Lodge Representative with over 40 years of service to the union workers.
Following his retirement, he was the Chairman of the Board for the Gulf Coast Trade Center in New Waverly, TX. This facility helps troubled and disadvantaged youths to learn a trade and obtain a High School Diploma.
After his tenure at the Gulf Coast Trade Center, Steve was a board member for the Community Learning Center (CLC, Inc.) in Ft. Worth, TX. This center provides model educational, training, and employment services designed to lead to better jobs and careers for our Veterans and other individuals.
Survivors include his stepson Sandy Soule, nephew Jerry Williams, and many other nieces and nephews.
IAM Mourns Death of Retired Grand Lodge Representative Steve Williams
District 776 Secretary Melba Smith Retirement
Melba Smith was hired as a secretary by District Lodge 776 in Fort Worth, Texas on July 27th, 1954, and after 63 years of faithful service to the membership of IAM District Lodge 776, Melba has decided it is time to retire.
During her tenure Melba has worked for eight Directing Business Representatives and has held every clerical position in the District. Melba was raised in a Union environment where her Father and Grandfather were active Union members. Melba was instrumental in organizing the secretaries into the membership of the OPEIU so she and her coworkers could enjoy a better life.
Melba’s a living encyclopedia when it comes to IAM District Lodge 776 and her wealth of experience and knowledge will be greatly missed, not to mention her quick wit and feisty personality. So it is with mixed emotions I say On behalf of all the Officers and Staff under the jurisdiction of Aeronautical Industrial District Lodge 776 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers:
Thank You Melba for all your hard work and years of dedicated loyal service and Wishing you a Long and Happy Retirement!!!
See photos from Melba’s celebration: https://flic.kr/s/aHskQuyTfy
In Unity and Solidarity,
Paul Black Jr.
President/Directing Business Representative