From Childhood Through College
Sidney Earl Williams was born on March 18, 1928 in Rome, GA while his mother was there visiting her sister.
Returning from Rome to Atlanta, Sid Williams grew up in Atlanta's West end as an only child. Throughout his childhood, his mother insisted on perfection and repeatedly told him that he would one day be the President.
Sid Williams entered Tech High School in 1942 where he excelled in everything in which he was involved. His many extracurricular activities included athletics, student government, and ROTC.
It was here that Williams' athletic career began in earnest. His natural athletic abilities made him a leader in both football and track. In track he excelled in the sprints, beating almost everyone in Georgia in head-to-head competition.
Sid was a naturally gifted athlete and became one of the most versatile players on the football team. He was named Co-captain with Pierce McWhorter, played both end and quarterback and was a standout player in both positions. He was named on the Coaches All-GIAA Team, the Rainbow All-GIAA, and the All-City Eleven at quarterback.
When football season was over, Sid continued demonstrating his multi-sport athleticism and leadership as a Co-Captain with Leary Cheney in the track team.
Sid's high school career ran through the later years and early post war years of WWII. (1943 - 1946) ROTC was extremely popular in those days as every boy wanted to prepare himself and be supportive of the war effort. It was here Sid's natural leadership abilities were brought to the fore where refined. By September of 1945 Sid had achieved the rank of Cadet Colonel, served as the Regimental Commander, was part of the Headquarters Company, and was a top scoring shooter on the Rifle Team.
Outside of his school activities Sid was also a very active and accomplished Boy Scout achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Nearly 50 years later his continued dedication to Scouting culminated in his being given the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award given by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The honor recognizes volunteers - nominated by fellow Boy Scout volunteers - for outstanding service to youth.
After graduating from Tech High School Sid began his career at Georgia Tech where he became a stand out player on the football team.
Sid played on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team throughout his college career. While he missed playing during his 1948 freshman year due to injury, he became an ever increasing important player to the team in the 1949, 1950, and 1951 seasons, culminating in an Orange Bowl National Championship victory over Baylor.
In recognition of his athletic talent and for his participation as a key player on one of the great Georgia Tech football teams, Sid was initiated into the Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame and The National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.
During his college years Sid also continued his commitment to military service through the Georgia National Guard, earning the rank of Second Lieutenant in Artillery.
During his time at Georgia Tech Sid was introduced to Nell Kimbrough. The dynamic Georgia Tech football star was quickly enamored with the attractive and intelligent girl from Appalachia. The two developed a bond that would last over 60 years.
Throughout his athletic career Sid experienced many different injuries that caused ongoing problems. Plagued by headaches and other physical ailments sustained from football injuries, Sid was sent by Georgia Tech to many medical specialists in several states, to no avail. His father recommended that he see a Chiropractor in Atlanta, which he did. After his first Upper Cervical Adjustment, Sid had such dramatic results that he began to consider Chiropractic as a career.
Sid graduated "on time" from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management degree in June of 1951.
On March 21, 1953, Sid Williams and Nell Kimbrough exchanged wedding vows and moved to Davenport, Iowa, where they both enrolled at Palmer School of Chiropractic.
After their wedding, Sid and Nell went to Davenport, Iowa where they enrolled in Palmer Chiropractic College.
Both Sid and Nell graduated from Palmer Chiropractic College in 1946 with their D.C. degree, becoming Dr. Sid and Dr. Nell Williams.
Palmer Chiropractic College
Sidney E. Williams
D.C. Doctor of Chiropractic Diploma
March 30, 1956
Along with his Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Sid earned his diploma in X-Ray and Spinography. He also became certified in the use of a Neurocalometer, which was one of the most advanced pieces of chiropractic diagnostic equipment at that time.
On April 5, 1956 Dr. Sid E. Williams was granted his License To Practice Chiropractic in the State of Georgia by the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Building His Chiropractic Career
After graduation Dr. Sid and his wife, Dr. Nell, moved backed to Georgia and opened their first practice in Austell. From this point forward it is difficult to mention one of these amazing people without mentioning the other. Together they moved forward to build one of the largest and most successful chiropractic practices in the state.
After graduating from the Palmer School of Chiropractic, Dr. Sid and Dr. Nell set forth on their dream to bring health and vitality to others through chiropractic. They opened their first clinic in Austell, GA. This would be the first of what would eventually be 18 Chiropractic offices in the Atlanta area.
In 1956 the first Williams Chiropractic Health Center opened in Austell, GA in offices at the corner of Spring Street and Jefferson Street.
Roadside sign promoting Chiropractic and the Williams Chiropractic Clinic.
Drs. Sid & Nell Williams quickly became a Dynamic Duo in the chiropractic field. Part of what made them so special was their development of their Lasting Purpose philosophy.
Lasting Purpose is an overall term for a philosophy which advocates the establishment of a mindset for Loving, Serving, and Giving out of your own abundance, just for the sake of doing so with no ulterior motives in mind.
Applying this philosophy to their daily lives attracted patients in ever increasing numbers.
Lasting Purpose In Action - Dr. Sid and Dr. Nell applied their Lasting Purpose philosophy to all people. Even in the turbulent 1960's in Atlanta, GA they were not afraid to serve what would commonly be called "under served areas" today. They believed that everyone deserved the opportunity to choose a more holistic and natural form of healthcare through chiropractic no matter who they were.
In addition to their chiropractic practice in Austell, Drs. Sid and Nell opened a series of Triple H Clinics in Atlanta. Triple H stood for Health, Harmony, and Happiness. This photo is of the first Triple H Clinic at Lawton St. and Westview Drive in Atlanta.
Triple H Clinic located at 755 Simpson Street in Atlanta, GA. opened in the spring of 1964. One of the nearly 20 chiropractic clinics opened and operated by Drs. Sid and Nell. This particular clinic was run by their good friend Dr. D.D. Humber, shown here standing to the right of Dr. Sid.
Drs. Sid and Nell also started Si-Nel Publishing to help spread the word about chiropractic. Through Si-Nel they wrote and published many different printed tracts to help educate the public about Chiropractic.
Health For Life was published in a newspaper format and was made available to chiropractic patients around the country through their chiropractors offices. Today's Chiropractic, first published in a newspaper format, eventually became Today's Chiropractic Magazine and became a major periodical informing everyone in the Chiropractic Profession.
Chiropractic equipment and supplies were sometimes difficult to source. As such, Si-Nel also became a source through which chiropractors could locate and purchase those supplies.
DYNAMIC ESSENTIALS
Drs. Sid and Nell wanted to not only help their patients through chiropractic, they also wanted to help their fellow chiropractors to improve their practices in order for them to be more successful and enable them to help more patients as well. To achieve this goal they founded Dynamic Essentials (DE) to train and motivate chiropractors, and to educate students and lay people in the philosophy, principles and practice of chiropractic.
LIFE FOUNDATION
In June of 1964 Drs. Sid and Nell Williams met with other like-minded chiropractors in Mableton, GA. Inspired by their Lasting Purpose philosophy, they proposed an organization that would seek to promote chiropractic care through research and public education.
Working in tandem with the Dynamic Essentials meetings, Life Foundation would be the avenue through which many of their biggest goals could be realized, including the establishment of a chiropractic college in Georgia!
As a Founding Member, Dr. Sid would serve and lead in Life Foundation's programs and activities for the rest of his life.
This photo is of the last Williams Chiropractic Center. It remained open and served patients until 1984. It was during this time that Dr. Nell took on the dual roll of supporting Dr. Sids efforts in opening Life Chiropractic College while simultaneously keeping their chiropractic offices running and seeing patients.
Drs. Sid and Nell at the opening of Life Chiropractic College in 1974.
Life University
In 1974 Dr. Sid and Dr. Nell began what would become their biggest and most consequential project in their lifetimes. The opening of Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia.
These slides will show some highlights of Dr. Sids efforts to establish and grow LIFE University. More detail may be found in the Life University: The Origin Story and Founding History section of this website.
The Life Chiropractic College formal opening ceremony took place on February 20, 1975.
- Today's Chiropractic Magazine - Vol. 4 - No. 2 - March/April 1975
Student enrollment reaches 200 students in the first year and every department and aspect of the school is growing by leaps and bounds!
In 1977, Life Chiropractic College's first commencement exercises take place and the "Day One Class" is graduated.
Chiropractic Assistant Program established.
Doctorate of Chiropractic student enrollment reaches 325 students.
Dr. Sid directs the purchase of the home on the south side of Barclay Circle directly across from L.C.C.'s campus for a student center facility. The 12.26 acres included a small lake nestled in a serene wooded area. Two additional land parcels were purchased adjoining the Student Center making a total of 46 acres available for future campus expansion on the south side of Barclay Circle.
Life Update - Spring 1981
Life Chiropractic College West was founded by Dr. Sid E. Williams in San Lorenzo, California when an Educational Alliance between Pacific States Chiropractic College and Life Chiropractic College was formed on March 13, 1981.
Dr. Sid initiates the first of what becomes many expansion projects of the Life Chiropractic College facilities and grounds.
Campus Life - March/April 1983
Life Chiropractic College prepares to celebrate its 10 year anniversary!
Campus Life - Jan./Feb. 1984 - Vol. 4 / No. 5
Dr. Sid establishes the Life Around The World program to promote chiropractic and chiropractic education around the globe. Paul Penn, who was a 12th quarter student at the time the initiative was begun, was tapped as the presidential liaison to Dr. Williams. The future Dr. Penn took on the task of opening a dialogue with the officials of every country in the world without chiropractors or chiropractic organizations. The LAW program became the spring board through which many of LIFE's international efforts was begun.
Campus Life - March/April 1984
Capitalizing on the popularity of 5k and 10k races, the First Annual Run For Life takes place in 1984. The race was conceived as a fun way to promote LIFE Chiropractic College and involve the local community. The race quickly became the second largest race of its kind in the country and gained status as a qualifier race for entrance to the internationally famous Peachtree Road Race.
Campus Life - July/August 1984
The Life Ruggers christen the new Life Chiropractic College multipurpose athletic field with a victory against Cincinnati 33-0 in "A Team" action and 34-20 in "B Team" play.
Campus Life - March/April 1985 - Vol. 5 / No. 3
In October of 1985 Dr. Sid Williams was contacted by Turner Broadcasting System to solicit his interest in leading the charge to make Chiropractic an official "sponsor" of the games. In the end this led to 16 chiropractors, led by Dr. Sid through Life Sports Chiropractic, to provide free chiropractic care to athletes, spectators, officials, production staff, and VIP's.
Click on the photo to read the full Campus Life article
Campus Life - Summer 1986
Life College continues to grow as heavy equipment moves in to clear the way for construction of the new Basic Sciences building, an expansion behind the Doctors Clinic, and making room for a new rugby and soccer field.
Campus Life - Spring 1988 - Vol. 7 / No.4
Life begins an $8.5 million building and expansion program. These projects include:
A complete remodel of the Annex B Technique Center, doubling the original space.
A new 30,000 sq.ft. gymnasium that will host Life's future basketball program among other athletic endeavors, classrooms, and offices.
A 450 foot long pedestrian sky bridge over Barclay Circle connecting the two sides of the campus.
Campus Life - Spring 1989 - Vol. 7 / No. 2
Recognizing the importance and impact of athletic competition to a healthy and successful college environment, Dr. Sid leads the effort to join a nationally recognized collegiate athletic association. On August 1, 1989 Life College becomes an associate member of the NAIA, District 25.
Campus Life - Summer 1989 - Vol. 7 / No. 3
Life Chiropractic College becomes Life College which includes the Life College School of Chiropractic and Life College School of Undergraduate Studies. The name change is part of Dr. Sid Williams's ongoing plan and vision of college growth toward university status.
Campus Life - Summer 1989 - Vol. 7 / No. 3
Drawing inspiration from his grandson, Shelton Krantz, Dr. Sid began what would become a major Christmas community event for Cobb County and the city of Marietta, GA. In December of 1989 the very first Lights Of LIFE Christmas holiday light display was assembled on the Life College campus.
Campus Life - Winter 1990 - Vol. 8 / No. 1
The Alumni & Friends Walk Of Honor engraved brick program is begun. The brick purchase plan calls for the individual names of Life College supporters, their family, and friends to be engraved on separate bricks. As each brick is engraved it will be randomly placed in the courtyards between Annex A and B and the Administration Building.
Campus Life - Winter 1990 - Vol. 8 / No. 1
THE LARGEST CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOL IN THE WORLD
With a winter enrollment of 1657 students, Life is now the largest chiropractic school in the world.
"The consistent increase in enrollment reflects the growing reputation for academic quality which Life enjoys..." - Dr. Sid Williams.
Campus Life - Spring 1990 - Vol. 8 / No. 2
The Adisi Eagle sculpture bearing the likeness of Dr. Sid Williams is mounted atop the Student Center at Life College. A tribute to the man who has turned his vision of Life College into reality.
Campus Life - Winter 1991 - Vol. 9 / No.1
The Adisi Eagle is also registered with the Smithsonian Museum.
More To Come
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Life Chiropractic College Founder and President, Dr. Sid E. Williams is named President to lead the International Chiropractors Association.
International Review of Chiropractic - Autumn 1982
In 1985 Dr. Sid Williams is elected to the National Health Federation Board of Governors. The NHF is an international consumer-education, health-freedom organization working to protect individuals’ rights to freedom of choice in health care services.
Campus Life - April 1985
In 1985 Dr. Sid was awarded Chiropractor Of The Year by the International Chiropractors Association for representing the profession with outstanding service and dedication to the principles of chiropractic.
Click Here For The May 1985 Campus Life Article
Click The Photo To See The Award
In response to the announcement of 2 Native American Scholarships that LIFE will offer, Lakota Medicine Man Charles Chips said "Dr. Sid is the answer to many prayers for Lakota people and all the world. It would be good for the people back home to have one of their own kind to become a chiropractor."
The Lakota Nation Medicine Man presented Dr. Sid with a Spotted Eagle feather, which is a symbol of his nation's prayer.
Click Here For The April 1994 Campus Life Article
Click The Photo To See The Spotted Eagle Feather
In 1995 the Georgia Council of Chiropractic presented a special award, "Chiropractor of the Century," to one of its founders, Dr. Sid Williams, for his lifelong devotion and commitment to the profession.
GCC Chiropractor Of The Year - Touted by one national publication as "The Defender of Chiropractic," Dr. Sid was honored with this award for the far reaching impact he has had upon chiropractic in Georgia as an educator and leader of the profession.
Click Here For The November 1996 Campus Life Article
Click The Photo To See The Award
In 1977 Dr. Sid was given a special award by the Atlanta Area Boy Scouts of America for his distinguished contribution to scouting on behalf of the Cobb district.
Click Here For The Campus Life - August 1997 Article
Click Photo To See Award
In addition to receiving many different honors and awards, Dr. Sid was honored to participate in presenting awards as well. In 1997 he was given the honor of presenting the "Living Legend Award" to blues legend B.B. King at The Trumpet Awards. In 1999 he presented a Trumpet Award to Smokey Robinson for his significant impact on music and culture.
In recognition of his athletic talent and for his participation as a key player on one of the great Georgia Tech football teams, Dr. Sid was initiated into the Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame. As a football player at Ga. Tech he was a member of the 1951 Orange Bowl Championship team — and was recognized as one of the best who played at his alma mater.
Click Here For The December 1998 Campus Life Article - Election to Athletic Hall Of Fame
Click Photo To See The Award
In 2001 Dr. Sid was one of 20 outstanding individuals given The Silver Beaver Award at the Scouts Atlanta Area Council Annual Recognition Dinner. The award, the highest award given by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, recognizes volunteers - nominated by fellow Boy Scout volunteers - for outstanding service to youth.
Click Here For The June 2001 Campus Life Article
More To Come!
Georgia Tech Football Team
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Georgia Tech Orange Bowl Championship Team
with Coach Bobby Dodd
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