A Legacy of Service, William S. Formwalt '32 (1913 - 2007)

Think you are too old to make a difference?
William S. Formwalt was 87 and living at Westminster Canterbury when he came to Jubilee Family Center for the first time and it is a day I will never forget. 
He said “I’m old and deaf but can you use me?” - that was the day Mr. Formwalt began sharing his extraordinary teaching skills and grandfatherly wisdom and compassion with the children at Jubilee. I have never been so touched by a person’s desire and dedication. On each visit to Jubilee, he would park his long old Cadillac in front of the mailbox (almost blocking the entrance!) and walk in ready to mentor and tutor the children. His ability to command a room of middle schoolers still amazes me to this day! His compassion and love for the students was freely given and because of this he was thought of as a grandfather within the Jubilee family. I never knew my own grandparents but if I had I would have loved for my grandfather to have been just like Mr. Formwalt.
Mr. Formwalt took an interest in all the students and not just during his volunteer time at Jubilee. He encouraged the students to look beyond their current situations and plan for the future. He also wanted to see kids from Jubilee go to VES, his alma mater. I am happy to report that two have graduated (one attending the University of Virginia and one at George Mason). Another student is a senior at VES, a star athlete and is currently fielding offers from several colleges and universities. These are but three of the lives he touched during his lifetime of teaching, mentoring and volunteering.
One of the things that I learned from Mr. Formwalt was that you are never too old to give back. He volunteered until he was almost 90 years old and kept coming to Jubilee until he was not able to drive because he was dedicated to making a difference in the community in which he lived. He touched my life and the lives of all the children at Jubilee. His dedication and love for them was indescribable. I know my life is better for having known Mr. Formwalt and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have met him. All of us at Jubilee will miss our longtime friend, mentor and “grandfather” We are grateful to his family for sharing him with us.
STERLING A. WILDER
Executive director
Jubilee Family Development Center