Jerry Williams will continue his reign as the County Coroner running unopposed for the office this election year.

“As of the seventh of May, I have been the coroner for 25 years,” said Williams, whom Governor George Wallace appointed in 1985.

“I replaced Alan Boothe when he got elected to the Troy City Council,” Williams said.

In what will be Williams’ seventh term, it may be the first time he doesn’t spend money out of pocket to perform his duties.

“The challenge was the pay didn’t cover the expenses,” Williams said.

Not until the last Legislative Session, was a law changed that would allow the Pike County Commission to raise the County Coroners salary and expense compensation from only $3,400 annually.

“The only true satisfaction in this job is being able to help people when they need it the most,” Williams said.

Williams is retired but he spends an average of 60-85 hours per month serving as the coroner.

A member of the Alabama Coroners Association, he is a former Troy Rotary Club President and has also served on the Troy City Board of Education.

Williams said to do his job it’s important to know how to manage very difficult situations.

“No matter how good of a job I do, someone has still lost a loved one,” he said.

“That’s the hardest part of the job.”

To unwind, Williams said he loves to read and fish.