On June 17, 2019 the Lexington Sertoma Club presented William D. An-dress, Jr (Bill) the Service to Mankind Award for his 25 years of local volunteer work with the Richland/ Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board and the international work performed over the past 18 years assisting the South Sudanese people gain a just and lasting peace.

He is an Elder at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Duke University, and Averett College. He served in the Navy and upon moving to Lexington he and his wife Kay became involved with the Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board. The Board supports people with autism, intellectual disabilities, and related disabilities, head injuries, and similar disabilities and promotes their pursuit of life goals and participation and inclusion in the community. Bill served as the Board Chairman for 15 years and is currently their retirement fund chairman.

His work in Sudan became possible through association with Reverend Bill Anderson and his late wife Lois. Bill Andress developed his passion for the Sudanese people while visiting southern Sudan in 2001 during ongoing conflict in what became their war of independence.

Upon his retirement in 2003, Bill has worked as a full time volunteer with advocacy groups and faith based groups to better the lives of the South Sudanese. 90% of the people in South Sudan identify themselves as Christians and most come from an African tribal culture. Bill is a founding member of the Coalition of Advocates for South Sudan, which works to end ethnic conflict in South Sudan and the Sudan Advocacy Action Forum. Bill is a vital team member in the Trinity South Sudan Ministry and works with several South Sudan church and mission organizations.

Bill humbly accepted the Service to Mankind Club Award, and stated he did not feel he had done anything out of the ordinary to deserve the recognition and was simply part of a larger team effort. He accepted the award in recognition of the other team members and all the hard work performed for the program’s success.