A local family optometry practice is celebrating 50 years of serving Hillsboro and everyone is welcome to attend a celebratory lunch to honor the milestone.
The office of optometrists Dr. Ralph Williams, Dr. Leah McConnaughey, and Dr. Khristopher Ballard will host the lunch outside of their West Main Street office on Friday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome.
Williams, who grew up in nearby Seaman, graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1965. Shortly after graduation he started his optometry practice 212 N. High St. The practice moved to its current location of 934 W. Main St. in 1998.
Williams was the first optometrist in Hillsboro able to fit contact lenses. He also founded the kindergarten screening program for the Hillsboro City Schools.
Williams and his wife of over 50 years, Maribeth, made Hillsboro their home, where they have been active within the community. Their three children all graduated from Hillsboro High School. David Williams and his wife Jodi now reside in Indiana with their four children, Wendy Williams Brown resides in Kentucky with her three children, and Molly Williams Miersch and her husband Ed reside in Pennsylvania with their three children.
Dr. Williams was past president of the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education and the Hillsboro Lions Club, served on the session and deacons at the First Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Hillsboro Elks and Snow Hill Country Club. He was a board member for the Hospice of Hope and is currently on the board of directors for U.S. Bancorp.
Williams was recently honored, along with eight other members of The Ohio State University College of Optometry class of 1965. He was able to participate in a special luncheon with the current Dean Karla Zadnik, and then again on stage at the class of 2015 Doctoral Convocation.
