2025 JIMMY WILLIAMS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD BANQUET
Tuesday, March 25
Royal Oaks Country Club
7915 Greenville Ave
Please join the Dallas A&M Club for the presentation of the Jimmy Williams Distinguished Service Award to Samuel “Ray” Huffines, Sr. ’74.
Special guest General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, 27th president of Texas A&M University, will also address those in attendance.
SCHEDULE
5:30pm Cocktail reception
6:30pm Dinner & program
ATTIRE
Business
ADMISSION
$125 per person
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Carter Monrad ’24
carter@hartmanntaylor.com
ABOUT OUR HONOREE
Samuel “Ray” Huffines ’74 is the third-generation Owner and CEO of Huffines Auto Dealerships, overseeing ten dealerships across Plano, McKinney, Lewisville, and Corinth. Under his leadership, the business has received numerous accolades, including the JD Powers Dealer of Excellence Award and the Consumers Choice Award for Automobile Group Dealer of the Year 16 times. The Dallas Morning News has named Huffines Auto Dealerships a “Top Place to Work” 13 times, and in 2024, Ray was recognized as the “Top Leader Among Large Companies”. His contributions to the business community have earned him the Plano Chamber of Commerce Business Executive of the Year award and the Corporate Citizen of the Year award, along with the U.S. Congressional Patriot Award presented by Congressman Pat Fallon.
Ray has also been actively involved in public service and politics, previously serving as a Field Man for Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign and as an Assistant to Texas Governor William P. Clements, Jr. from 1981 to 1982. He is dedicated to community service, serving on the Board of Directors for the Plano Rotary Club and The Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, as well as being a Trustee at both Trinity Christian Academy and Dallas Baptist University. His leadership extends to roles such as Vice Chair of the Plano Economic Development Board, Chairman of the Plano Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Community Substance Abuse Task Force. Additionally, Ray has been actively involved in Coach’s Outreach as Chairman of the Board and has served as Foreman of the Collin County Grand Jury.
A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Ray earned his B.B.A. in Business Management in 1974. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets – Squadron 2 and played a key role in the 1971 National Championship Fish Drill Team. In 1973, he became a founding member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry. Ray has remained engaged with his alma mater, serving as Collin County Muster Chairman, a Muster Speaker in Frisco and McKinney, and a Trustee on the 12th Man Foundation Board. In recognition of his dedication, he was honored with the Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2019.
Ray is a dedicated member of Bent Tree Fellowship and has been married to his wife, Ann, for 37 years. They have four children—Mollie ’11 and her husband, Layne Wiesendanger ’11, Sam ’14 and his wife, Lauren, Libby ’15, and Emily, as well as four granddaughters—continuing their strong family legacy.
ABOUT THE JIMMY WILLIAMS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
James Wishart “Jimmy” Williams was born on September 13, 1895, in Hamilton, Texas. A descendant of pre-Revolutionary War Americans, he graduated from Hamilton High School in 1913 and went on to attend the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas from 1913 to 1919 with two one-year interruptions. Mr. Williams considered himself to be part of the Class of 1918 and graduated in 1919 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He served in the United States Army from November 1917 to February 1919 and was discharged with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
After briefly working for the Delta County Engineering Department, Mr. Williams joined Austin Brothers Bridge Company in 1920. His first large assignment was the Corpus Christi Causeway, built in 1921. Over the next 50 years, Mr. Williams rose through the ranks of Austin Bridge and Associated Companies (now Austin Industries), subsequently serving on its Board of Directors.
In 1954, Mr. Williams was elected president of the Downtown Quarterback Club in Dallas. Known as “Skinny” to his many Aggie friends, he also served as president of the Dallas A&M Club, District Vice President of The Association of Former Students, and on the Executive Committee of The Association. Additionally, he served on the Athletic Council, the governing body of the Texas A&M Athletic Department at the time.
Mr. Williams also served as an elder at Lakeview Christian Church in Lake Highlands. He was well known for his modesty, his concern for other people, and his work ethic. Never one to boast about himself or his accomplishments, he enjoyed an outstanding life and career that was enhanced by his wife Pauline, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mr. Williams passed away in Dallas on October 14, 1970.
In his honor, the Dallas A&M Club began a custom that recognizes the ideals and integrity that Mr. Williams personified. The Jimmy Williams Distinguished Service Award is presented to an Aggie from the Dallas area who has demonstrated commitment to career and family, contributions to the local community, and devotion to Texas A&M University.
The Jimmy Williams Distinguished Service Award Banquet enables the Dallas A&M Club to acknowledge and celebrate the success, dedication, and contributions of not only one of its own, but also of Texas A&M University and all that it represents.
PAST JIMMY WILLIAMS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Jimmy Williams ’18
Tyree Bell ’13
Asa Hunt ’22
Wofford Cain ’13
Jack Crichton ’37
Jimmy Aston ’33
Field Scovell ’30
Jimmy Sewell ’27
Alfred Davies ’34
Bob Latimer ’44
Bob Frymire ’45
Cy Johnston ’56
J.L. Huffines ’44
Harvey R. “Bum” Bright ’43
John R. Hill ’44
Harvey Cash ’33
Dick Goodson ’27
Tom O’Dwyer ’47
Ted Pitzer ’50
Bill McKenzie ’44
Les Potter ’28
George Linskie ’38
Bill McCord ’49
A.P. Wiley ’46
James Wiley ’46
Ed Monteith ’43
Durwood Chalker ’50
Herb Schiff ’43
Harwood K. Smith ’36
Donald Zale ’55
Edward B. Fulbright ’49
Robert Smith III ’61
Erle Nye ’59
W. Mike Baggett ’68
Frederick D. McClure ’76
Bill E. Carter ’69
Ford D. Albritton, Jr. ’43
Ron Skaggs ’65
Gerald L. Ray ’54
Jess C. “Rick” Rickman III ’70
Brian K. Pinto ’93
