Willie Nelson – Selma’s Willie Nelson – is every organization’s dream volunteer.

Just like clockwork he’s on the job 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday, at the Selma-Dallas County United Way office.

According to his supervisor, United Way Executive Director Jeff Cothran, Nelson does anything and everything he’s asked to do, willingly and with care.

He mows the grass, stuffs envelopes, answers the phone, takes messages, assists in the new HealthLink Senior Prescription Assistance Program and serves as a general receptionist.

Nelson said he’s been on the job for four to five years, prior to United Way’s move from the old Dallas Academy Building to its new office by the Vaughan campus of Vaughan Regional Medical Center.

Nelson is a native of South Carolina who lived for many years in New York. His wife Johnnie who works for Peoples Bank is a native Selmian.

Nelson said that his volunteering began in New York after retirement from his job in a machine shop there.

Nelson said, “The work here (at United Way) is great! I like my boss (Jeff Cothran) and I like the other people here.”

“I take Fridays off,” he said, “but would of course come in if I were needed.”

Cothran said, “He does anything we can think of for him to do.

He’s a great volunteer and a great friend.”