3 Inspired People

In every community, there are those among us who lead by quiet example. They seldom hold positions of power, nor do they have a title or any official designation that distinguishes them from their neighbors. Yet they are often the ones who, having found their own inspiration, serve to make us better people and a better community. The spark of imagination they ignite through pursuit of their own dreams, passions and curiosity can spread down the street, through a neighbor, across a community. Their stories are an inspiration and in the telling of their stories, others may be similarly inspired. In each edition, Progress tells the story of three of the “Inspired People” of our community.

Gill Harris

Musician or engineer? Columbus resident Gill Harris is more than a bit of both.

Harris has played trumpet since junior high. He played for his high school band in Daytona Beach, Florida; for his alma mater, Clemson University; and for the U.S. Army band during World War II. For the past nine years — and on and off before that — Harris organizes “Gill Harris and the Big Band Theory” in which locals perform with acclaimed musicians from across the nation.

But the music, he notes, is just a side gig.

Harris may have retired as regional director of engineering for Ceco Building Systems in 2001, but he hasn’t stopped working. At 90 years old, the long-time civil engineer last year was awarded a patent for a paving design that would convert high-rise rooftops into usable space.

Harris said he’s inspired to think of fresh ideas by always staying on the forefront of research.

As he’s grown older, he aims to leave a legacy for aspiring people in his field.

“I have about 16 one-hour structural engineering lectures available, am writing my second book on building foundations, consulting to organizations in the engineering field, providing technical witnessing in litigation cases and helping write the technical building codes,” Harris said.

Even from home, he treats every day like a work day, researching and writing from his home computer and keeping in touch via email with contacts in the engineering profession who are spread across the globe.

“Having a purpose in life is a great motivator, ” Harris said.

Though Harris loves his engineering work, it comes second to family. Harris and his wife have five kids, seven grandchildren and 10, soon to be 11, great-grandchildren.

“I’m happiest when I’m with them,” Harris said, “and right under that is my work.”

Jay Hurdle

Jay Hurdle, 37, knows working as a small city attorney means wearing many hats.

The Starkville-based lawyer — and recently appointed Lowndes County public defender — tackles criminal defense, family law and land and probate cases. Hurdle’s standard docket, though, doesn’t encompass his favorite part of the job: giving back to his community.

The Memphis native relishes handling the case of someone from an under-served community because it allows him to advocate for someone who may feel they have no one in their corner.

“When you can make an impact in that way, I think it’s one of the more rewarding things about being an attorney,” he said.

The Oktibbeha County NAACP has recognized his impact, too, as Hurdle is one of only two non-minorities in 15 years to receive the organization’s Community Achievement Freedom Award.

Hurdle’s impact, though, doesn’t stop with pro bono cases.

His work with Volunteer Starkville inspired him to establish his own nonprofit in 2015: the Starkville-Oktibbeha Voter Registration Initiative. The initiative aims to decrease the disparity between the amount of information voters receive in national and local elections.

“There is just not enough information out there,” Hurdle said. “I feel like on the local level more people are elected because of perhaps the party beside their name or because they’re well known in the community, rather than being someone who’s elected because the voters believe in what they’re trying to do.”

Hurdle’s nonprofit has around 10 volunteers — ranging from college-aged to 60s — each election cycle with diverse political views. Those volunteers have helped him develop a website, voteriniative.org, social media accounts and printed nonpartisan voter guides.

“We send out questionnaires to the candidates, and then they fill them out,” he said. “We just print their responses as they come.”

Hurdle’s volunteers have bought into — as he hopes the county’s citizens will — the idea that if their community raises the standard of knowledge about candidates, they’re going to end up with better elected officials.

“You have to build the type of community you want to live in,” Hurdle said. “It doesn’t just happen.”

Willa and Lila

Eleven-year-old Willa Greenan remembers the night her best friend was diagnosed with Leukemia.

“I just got really nervous,” Willa said of that November night. “I was in bed. My dad came and got me, and we went straight to the hospital.

“I didn’t know what Leukemia was, and I was scared to even ask. I didn’t know if she was going to be okay or if she was going to recover.”

That best friend is 9-year-old Lila Ursy.

Lila’s and Willa’s families have lived in West Point for just under a decade. Since they moved into houses across the street from one another, the pair has formed a bond like no other.

The girls turned a backyard shed into an animal hospital for injured creatures. Willa has pulled Lila’s teeth. They ride bikes, skateboard, catch snakes and lizards and just like to “hang out.”

To Lila, their friendship seems “big” — so big, in fact, that when Lila shaved her head before she started chemotherapy, Willa shaved her head too.

“I did it for Lila,” Willa said. “Right when she told me she would have to shave her head and that she was nervous and scared and sad about it, I was just like, ‘I’m doing it with you.’”

Lila receives treatment at the Mayo Clinic campus in Minnesota, but distance has been no match for the dynamic duo.

“When Willa visited for New Year’s, that was one of the most special things I’ve ever witnessed,” said Lila’s mom, Heather Usry.

“They’re friends who inspire each other to be better people,” she added. “They’re family.”

Willa has helped raise money for Lila’s treatment by selling t-shirts and stick-on tattoos reading “#BeBraveLila.” She has also sold hot chocolate out of Lila’s front yard and plans to sell lemonade as the weather warms.

“I want her to be home and healthy soon,” Willa said.

Heather hopes she and Lila will return to West Point by the end of May. “Cure and remission” is the plan.

What inspires Lila to keep fighting?

“Willa,” she said.

To donate to Lila’s family and treatment visit youcaring.com/bebravelila