It's never too late' — Johnny Williams earns GED at HCTC Adult Education

Johnny Williams recently earned his general educational development (GED) diploma. 

In 1964, 60 years ago, Williams' classmates crossed the stage to receive their high school diplomas. He was not among them, which left what he described as a knot in his stomach.  

Just 15 years old at the time of a life-altering car accident, he missed six months of school.

"I was really far behind," he said. "I ended up leaving school to work in the mines." 

A few years later, at 19, he married his wife. They moved to Muncy, Indiana, where he got a job. 

"I stayed at that job for over three years. My wife wanted to come back home to the mountains. Around that time, they asked me if I'd like to become a supervisor," he recalled. "But I couldn't — not having graduated high school, that door was closed for me." 

Williams ultimately raised his family by "drifting" from one workplace to another, spending his career as a welder in the mines or road construction, a life that he described as "bust and boom." 

 "I had no problems finding work, and that was because I was taught that it was my job to get up and do what I was told," he said. "I lived by the idea that the boss might not always be right, but he's still the boss." 

 At age 50, another accident involving his welding truck injured him substantially, rendering him unable to work. 

"I really started focusing on my music after that," Williams said. "My love for music led me to the Bluegrass School in Leslie County." 

The Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, known locally as "the Bluegrass School," is housed at Hazard Community & Technical College's Leslie County Center. 

Dean Osborne, the school's director, encouraged Williams to take courses for credit, considering he had been coming to the school for years. Williams could not do so because he did not have a high school diploma. 

"I told Dean that I'd always regretted not getting my high school diploma. It always bothered me a little bit, but I held that inside for years. When he told me that I should earn my GED, I told him, 'I'm 75, 76 years old,'" Williams said. "But he encouraged me."

He ultimately headed to the Adult Education program area to enroll.

"I cannot say how grateful I am to the people working in adult education at the college," he said. "All of the teachers believed in me. When I got discouraged, they told me that I could do it. They had confidence in my ability." 

Assistance from the teachers in the program allowed him to learn skills such as operating a computer, something he said he never had any interest in doing. 

"I never wanted anything to do with new technology. I ignored computers," Williams said. "So, I had to learn how to use a mouse, a keyboard, all of it. I'm glad I did, and I'm glad I figured out how to use a calculator. I'm amazed by all of their functions." 

Williams is a devout man of faith, using his interests to play music at churches in the area.

"All of it was tough, but God was there in the middle of it all," Williams said. "I want to use my testimony to encourage other people who might consider getting their GED. It's never too late."

While in the program, there was one particular pre-examination that Williams said he did not score well on. 

"I wasn't sure I could do it. Getting that score back really discouraged me," he said. "But then I was told that one test is only a snapshot, and that encouraged me to keep going." 

He said lived experience came in handy as he earned his GED.

"I didn't have any trouble with the social studies portion of the test because I've lived a lot of history," he said. "Social studies is my favorite. I love learning about other people. I've checked books out at the library for years, always wanting to learn."

Williams is also incredibly grateful for his family's encouragement. His son served in the military, his daughter is an educator and his granddaughter is a laboratory scientist. 

"I encouraged them to work hard, finish high school and go to college if that was their interest," he said. "My goal was to help break the cycle for them." 

Williams said he is not sure what is in store for him, but he is planning to continue his life of learning by completing courses at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music. He resides in Perry County with his wife, Fredda. 

For more information about the GED offerings, visit the Hazard Community & Technical College Adult Education webpage.