As a boy, Arthur Williams would search the sky.

Williams, a 77-year-old Lansford resident, was just a Cub Scout, but he was already a member of the United States Air Force’s Ground Observer Corps, a civilian volunteer group who kept watch for planes flying overhead. Situated atop a tower near the Summit Hill Rod and Gun Club, Williams took note of any aircraft, their direction and altitude.

If his observer group spotted a craft, they’d call it in using the code “Quebec, Lima, Zero, Four, Black.”

“I’ll never forget it,” Williams said of the cipher.

That was one of Williams’ first volunteer efforts, and he’s added new ones to the list since, like a lifelong membership with the Lansford Volunteer Fire Company and former membership with the borough’s now closed volunteer ambulance association.

Even today, Williams renders aid to organizations like the Valor Clinic Foundation, a nonprofit that helps veterans in need. Before the coronavirus caused its temporary shutdown, each Wednesday, Williams drove the Disabled American Veterans van from Jim Thorpe to Wilkes-Barre.

Williams volunteers for the same reason most people do: to help others.

“That’s all I want,” he said, adding that it’s “one of my goals in life.”

Williams grew up in Summit Hill. He graduated from the area high school in 1961, and about one year later, joined the Army. He spent eight weeks in boot camp and another 14 at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland before shipping off to Korea for 13 months. The remainder of his service was spent stateside, on the West Coast.

Williams got out of the Army in 1965, nearly three years after he joined to the day. Not long after, he said, a few of his former classmates were drafted to fight in Vietnam.

Williams married his wife, Mary Williams, in 1966. Over the next few decades, his work varied; he held positions at Silberline, New Jersey Zinc, Mack Trucks and the Tamaqua and Panther Valley school districts.

He also had three children, David Williams, Laura O’Gorman and Christine LeClair. LeClair is an Iraq veteran and currently serves as director of Carbon County’s Veterans Affairs Office.

Williams is retired now. Along with driving the D.A.V. van and volunteering with LeClair through Valor, he also is an avid blood donor. Williams frequents Miller-Keystone Blood Center twice a month, giving his plasma and platelets for people who need them. His goal is to donate at least 50 gallons.

He’s currently at 43.

Asked why he chooses to volunteer and help other local veterans, Williams replied that it’s the same reason he gives blood: because he wants to.

“I just do it because it makes me feel good, finding out that I can be helping others,” Williams said.

“It has to be in you, I think.”

As for a reason why others should get involved with their communities, Williams offered a simple one.

“Do it because you want to do it,” he said.