Gil Granger remembers Williamsburg before Richmond Road was lined with diverse restaurants, when the city had a single bank and the lone swimming pool came with a caveat: “Whites only.”
Much has changed.
He came to town after graduating from high school in Philadelphia in 1953, drawn to the College of William and Mary because of its relatively high percentage of women in attendance — or simply put, more opportunities for dating.
It may have been the best decision of his life. As a photographer for the school’s Flat Hat newspaper, he went on to snap pics of the co-ed of the week who would become his wife, Connie. And beyond finding love, he found a home in Williamsburg.
“Williamsburg is a wonderful place,” said Granger, 83.
He graduated from William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and after brief stints in Atlanta and El Paso, Texas, settled down in the city that was home to his alma mater. The couple married in the Wren Chapel in 1958 and were quick to work on establishing a presence in the community.
Granger worked for an accounting firm in the city, but he eventually opted to start a new one with fellow William and Mary graduates.
Beyond using his business to help people in the community, he valued public service. He was appointed to the W-JCC School Board in 1972 and served three years. He spent 16 years serving on City Council, elected using a playful slogan based on his first name: “Get Involved Locally.”
“There’s a lot of things I take a lot of pride in,” Granger said.
He participated in community organizations such as the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, and he also worked in real estate, developing buildings and overseeing home rentals across the area.
From 1996-1998, Granger served as Williamsburg’s mayor, during which time he met the Chinese and Bosnian presidents during their visits to the area.
During his time in public office, Granger worked to expand the school system, including using his business experience to help bring Lafayette High School to fruition in 1973.
He said one of his proudest accomplishments was helping launch Williamsburg’s recreation program in 1978.
“Of course, he has much to be proud of,” Connie Granger said.
The power of compassion
Williamsburg vice mayor Doug Pons agrees. To him, the Grangers are family whose support has helped him succeed in the area. Pons’ father, Donald, worked as a server alongside Granger at King’s Arms Tavern; their friendship continued after they left college.
“Gil’s been a big mentor in my life,” Pons said, crediting him for helping him navigate the precarious world of business as Pons began operating hotels. He now owns the Flats of Williamsburg, an affordable housing complex on York Street.
“He’s always been an advocate for helping others who couldn’t help themselves,” Pons said.
One such moment came at a time when the area remained segregated. The city featured a single, whites-only swimming pool for public use. But Granger felt everyone should be able to enjoy some poolside summer fun.
“We got together because that wasn’t fair,” Granger said.
He helped create and chair the Williamsburg Area Recreation Association, which began operating its own swimming pool.
The new pool didn’t bring desegregation — only people of color could use the new facility. But Granger’s efforts meant pool access for minorities who would otherwise have none, and it served as an incremental step on the road to integration.
“You leave a legacy. That’s what drew Gil to start his professional career here,” Pons said. “I think he does that because he believes in Williamsburg.”
Through it all, Granger saw it as his duty to give back to his community.
“If he’s going to live here, raise his children and invest in property as well, he’d better take a vested interest,” said daughter Gray Ann Granger.
For years, Granger rented to Sam Royall and his father, Bill, as the pair operated a printing business. As the business later fell upon hard times, they fell $5,000 behind in rent, but Granger took it upon himself to go to the bank and take care of the debt.
“He saved my life. That was just one of many, many kindnesses he did to me,” Sam Royall said. “The whole family has just improved everything around Williamsburg.”
“Many people like that, I’ve helped over the years,” Granger said, but he always saw such gestures as investing in the people themselves. “I’m very proud of a whole lot of people around town.”
Granger’s son, Greg, said he appreciated his parents’ decision to raise their family in Williamsburg, comparing the city’s temperament to that of Mayberry, N.C., the small town setting of “The Andy Griffith Show.” The experience instilled in him the values of treasuring home and wanting to work to improve the community, he said.
Greg Granger now owns and operates WMBG Radio, which transmits on both AM and FM frequencies throughout the area, in addition to serving as a member of the Williamsburg Planning Commission. He noted that the FCC grants licenses based on public interest obligations.
“I take that really seriously,” Greg Granger said.
It part of his way of building upon his father’s legacy.
The station features local on-air personalities, people interested in truly connecting with listeners and the community at large. The DJs regularly emcee events supporting area nonprofit organizations. The musical lineup intentionally favors songs that don’t make the rounds on other stations, rekindling memories of hits from decades past.
“We play music that the community can connect with,” Greg Granger said. “If Mayberry had a radio station, we want to be it. They want that small-town feel.”
Gil Granger is slowing down as he ventures further into his eighties. It’s understandable, given his two bouts with cancer and three strokes since 2012, the last of which limited his ability to stand and walk.
But Pons said he remained impressed by the man’s perseverance. Granger’s story isn’t over while his mind remains sharp and his front door remains open to anyone seeking a friend.
“He answers every single phone call,” Gray Ann Granger said. “That’s one of the reasons he’s been so influential in this community.”
