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| May 1999 Sidney accountant named
The state's oldest practicing certified public accountant received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the School of Business Administration earlier this month. Hu Williamson, 76, owner of a Sidney accounting firm, was presented the award during the business school's 52nd Annual Scholarship Awards Banquet. Williamson also was the keynote speaker at the event, regaling students with tales of what it was like starting a business 50 years ago. Williamson graduated from Missoula County High School in 1940 and from UM in 1948. Between those two dates he served in World War II as an airplane navigator, flying cargo to the South Pacific and ferrying aircraft to the European Theater. After finishing his UM studies, he started his career with the firm of Jacobson, Jentz and Rector in St. Paul, Minn. In 1949 he moved to Sidney to open his own accounting firm, which is now called Hu Williamson, P.C., A Professional Corporation. Over the years Williamson has been extremely active in his local community, serving on the Sidney School Board and the Sidney Chamber of Commerce board and directing the Richland County Economic Development Corp. He also was a charter member of the Sidney Jaycees and was elected its first president in 1955. In addition, he helped form the Sidney Elks Lodge in 1949, acting as its first secretary for many years. Williamson also has been instrumental in the formation of several charitable foundations in Sidney, and he currently serves on boards for the Svarre Foundation and the Dayton Foundation, which were formed to award scholarships to students in need. While volunteering to direct these foundations, he has generously donated time, money and energy. He also has served for years on the board of Richland Opportunities Inc., an organization devoted to helping people with disabilities. Williamson also has raised substantial funds for the St. Coletta School of Jefferson, Wis., a school for the disadvantaged and people with disabilities. Williamson has been a vocal supporter of and contributor to UM, and he was a charter member of UM's Council of 50. |
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