by Dana Wilbourn
posted November 13, 2007
General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon visited a Hixson Middle School classroom on Tuesday afternoon to reward a young man for his honesty. Tony Williams, eighth grade, seemed embarrassed and looked downward at his desk while other students listened curiously and tried to guess who the judge was talking about.
Judge Moon finally called Tony’s name and asked him to come forward. His classmates and teacher, Mary Byars, and principal Sandy Barnwell gave Tony a round of applause as he stood and shook hands with the judge.
This was not the first time Tony had met Judge Moon. A week ago, Judge Moon visited the Taco Bell on Hixson Pike after after a long day of presiding on the bench over 17 cases of theft. After ordering and sitting down to eat, the judge was interrupted by a young man, Tony Williams, who said, “excuse me sir, but you dropped this over at the counter.” Judge Moon looked down and Tony was extending a $5 bill.
Judge Moon asked Tony, “Why didn’t you just stick it in your pocket? There’s no one else here. No on would have seen you.” Tony replied, “It’s not mine.”
Judge Moon thanked Tony, who is also a standout football player, for his honesty. He watched as Tony and his friend, Jalen Anderson, sat down to eat at a nearby table. As Judge Moon watched, the boys bowed their heads and said grace over their meal.
When Judge Moon finished his own meal, he went to the boys' table and asked Tony about his parents. Tony said his mom was out in the car waiting for them. After shaking Tony’s hand again, Judge Moon went out to the parking lot to talk with Tony’s mother.
Pamala Williams, a single mom, was reading in her car while Tony and Jalen ate inside the restaurant. Judge Moon walked up to the car, introduced himself and said, “Your son is a remarkable young man, I’d like to tell you what he just did.” Ms. Williams said it scared her when the judge said it that way. She began to wonder what Tony, her only child, might have done.
Judge Moon told Ms. Williams that he would like to reward Tony for his
honesty, but please don’t say anything about a reward to Tony.
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Tony Williams with his mother, Pamala Williams
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