New owner of Wings got ‘a running start’
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 11:01 a.m., September 22, 2007
Updated 11:01 a.m., September 22, 2007
Terry Williams celebrated his 40th birthday anniversary this week with week-long specials at Wings restaurant, 1113 Commercial St.
Williams and his wife, Tammy, bought the restaurant in mid-summer from former owners, Trade and Sherry Hileman.
“Everything will stay the same,” Terry Williams said. “We’re just doing the same thing Trade and Sherry did — a family operation.”
The Williams’ son, Dustyn, also works at the restaurant and all three work at the Family Auction House at 311 Union St., where Dustyn Williams is auctioneer.
“We’re still in the auction game,” Williams said, adding that auctions have been trimmed to once per month. “We’re just not pursuing it as much as we used to.”
For his birthday, Wings offered $4 hamburger baskets, $1 draws and $4 pitchers.
“We still have our $4.99 every-day specials that revolve, the same as what (the Hilesmans) had,” he said.
Williams worked with the Hilemans for several months before taking over the restaurant.
“It kind of got me a running start on it that way,” he said. “I learned everything from Trade.”
Wings also employs a total of about 20 people, he said.
Williams worked for Landshire, Evco, and Pepsi before purchasing Wings.
“We’ve been in business all our life, one way or another,” he said.
That experience made him aware of extra work and the extra hours involved in owning and operating a business.
“About the time you think you’re ahead of it, you’re not,” he said.