Rick Williams recites the oath of office as he’s sworn in as a state representative Monday morning. His wife, Donna, held the Bible, which belonged to Williams’ late father. A Republican, Williams represents Putnam and Baldwin counties. 

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — It’s now official: Rick A. Williams is one of the newest Georgia lawmakers.

The 63-year-old Milledgeville resident and funeral home director and owner, took oath of office in front of family members and many others during a ceremony Monday morning at the state capitol in Atlanta.

“I’m truly humbled by the experience to serve the people of the 145^th District of Georgia,” Williams told The Union-Recorder in a telephone interview. “I’m really excited about serving the people.”

Williams represents all of the residents of Baldwin County, as well as residents in the southern portion of neighboring Putnam County.

Williams, a former member of the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners and longtime chief registrar of Baldwin County, said serving as a state lawmaker is dream come true.

“This is a dream I had back in the ‘80s,” Williams recalled. “I just never realized that one day I might get to fulfill the dream of working for the people and representing the people. I’m very honored.”

Williams took the oath of office from Judge John Ellington, presiding judge of the Court of Appeals, as his wife Donna, and other family members watched.

Williams replaces Rusty Kidd, who had served as the state’s only independent lawmaker in the Georgia General Assembly for seven years. Kidd, whose family walked the halls of the state capitol for 70 consecutive years, will now oversee his loan businesses, and be involved in other interests.

Ironically, one of Kidd’s longtime best friends in the state legislature is now one of Williams’ newest friends — state Rep. Allen Powell.

“He’s (Powell) been up here 28 years as a state representative,” said Williams, noting that the two lawmakers roomed together last week.

Since Williams didn’t immediately have an office when he went to Atlanta last week, just days before this year’s General Assembly opened for the 2017 session Monday, Williams said Powell allowed him to use his office.

Williams doesn’t yet know what committees he will be asked to serve on at this time.

“I expect to know more about that as the week goes by,” he said.

Williams said he attended some of the appropriations committee meetings last week.

As freshman lawmakers, he and others in the same shoes were invited to attend the meetings last Tuesday and Wednesday.

Williams also attended a briefing from officials with the Georgia Hospitals Association related to hospital issues.

Another topic expected to be discussed by lawmakers this session will pertain to rural internet service throughout the state.

“That’s been an issue, because children who have access to the internet at schools don’t necessarily have it at home because it’s not available,” Williams said.

“He (Powell) told his secretary, anything Rick needs, help him,” Williams said. “It’s awesome.”

Other state lawmakers also have reached out to assist Williams.

“All of them have been so helpful to me, and I really appreciate it,” said the freshman lawmaker. “Bubber Epps, Trey Rhodes and Matt Hatchett, the chairman of the Republican Caucus from Dublin. Everyone, including state senators, has offered me help in any way that I might need it.”

Even Rusty Kidd, along with some of the staff personnel he used when he served in the Georgia House of Representatives, has offered Williams assistance.

“I can’t say how much I sincerely appreciate everyone’s willingness to help me,” Williams said.

As one of the state’s newest lawmakers, Williams said he’s also had lobbyists greet him and want to get to know more about him.

“Some of them even told me that Rusty had told them about me,” Williams said. “He’s (Rusty) already opened up so many doors. It’s phenomenal. It’s very humbling.”

Williams said he couldn’t have asked for the transition to be any better than it has been.

He’s even landed a seat in the House chambers. It’s the same one that Kidd occupied for the seven years he held the position as a state representative.

His two sons, Cameron and Spencer, have now taken over the day-to-day operations of the family’s funeral homes in Milledgeville, Eatonton and Gordon, as well as the cemeteries.

“They’ll be running the three locations, the cemeteries, and all,” the elder Williams said of his sons. “And we’ve got a great staff of people, even the part-timers who have worked for us for many years in Milledgeville, Gordon and Eatonton, will all be there to assist them.”

Williams’ daughter, Amber Chambers, a registered nurse who lives in Milledgeville, also will help with the family businesses.

“It’s all about family helping family,” Williams said.