HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE
Eric Williams Shares His Love of Music with His Fellow UMHS Staff Members, Faculty and Students
 Name: Eric Williams
Age: 52
Job: Plant Operations, Building Services, Med Sci 1
Every morning, like clockwork, Eric Williams, Custodian II, takes his breaks and lunch under the skywalk in a courtyard near the Medical School. But unlike his co-workers, he spends his breaks honing a talent he never thought he could have.
“When I was a kid, I was told I was tone deaf and the teachers refused to let me learn an instrument,” he says. After spending years yearning to play an instrument, at about age 30, Williams decided to teach himself.
Now at age 52, he’s a talented saxophonist and composer, thanks to his determination and his “best friend”—a tuner.
“It’s my best friend because it’s always honest,” he smiles.
Because he is tone deaf, Williams uses his tuner to warm up—checking his pitch against the reading to ensure he plays in tune.
Whether it’s scales or one of his original songs, his music can be heard near the Medical School at 6, 8 and 10 a.m. everyday.
“Playing here for me is like meditation,” he says. “I went through a period in my life where things were difficult, and I decided to do something for me - something I’d always wanted to do and would never give up on - and I come out here every day to stay on track.”
Williams began working at the University 15 months ago and was hired into his current position in November 2004.
“Since starting my job here, I’ve met so many wonderful people. I’ve been inspired by them,” he says. “I didn’t realize anybody was listening, and I’m glad—I always prayed that my love for music would be a blessing to others.”
For Williams, making people happy is equally possible in his work and music.
“I like my job as a custodian because it’s instantly gratifying. You clean or dust something and see instant results—just like when you play an instrument. Clean makes people happy,” he says.
Williams works on Floors 2 and 3 in Med Sci I for Building Services—a division of Plant Operations for the University of Michigan. He’s a part of a 400-person unit that is responsible for keeping clean nearly 12 million square feet of building space on the University campus.
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