In the Beginning

Williams & Fudge, Inc., was founded on July 18, 1986 in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Within a week of opening, Gary Williams had sold the first client, Peggy Williams had written the letters and placed the accounts for collection, and Neil Fudge had started collecting on the accounts. In the first six months of operation, collections were a little over $40,000 in fees. The first employees included (in order) Gary, Neil, Peggy, Leon Wyant, Ember Wells (1986), and Lisa Tillman (1987). After four and a half years of partnership, Gary bought out Neil Fudge in November 1990.  Their meeting was held at Burger King!

The company’s mission from the beginning, that still holds true today, is to do their best everyday by providing exceptional customer service, respecting the consumer, honoring each other, maintaining high ethical conduct, and being a good community citizen.

The motivation to start the company began in the fall of 1985, when Gary became frustrated with his employer’s management style and lack of customer service. He considered changing careers, but a good friend, Wylie Blanton, kept telling Gary that if he was recognized in a positive way by his industry, then he should stay in it. He looked at other opportunities, but Wylie’s words kept coming back to him. Since Gary had only management and sales experience, he needed a collections partner. A fellow employee, Neil Fudge, always did an outstanding job in collections, and Gary respected and trusted him. In May 1986, they decided to form a partnership. They worked after hours and on weekends, setting up Williams & Fudge, Inc.

The morning of July 18, 1986 arrived. Gary and Neil gave notice and headed over to Rock Hill’s Business Technology Center, where they had rented an office and four desks to start up the company. The phones were installed that morning, but, since they had no clients yet and there were no accounts to call, they decided to take that Friday afternoon off. Gary went to watch his son, David, play basketball!