Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Aggie Bustillos named Grand Marshal for Williams Labor Day Parade in honor of her years of work in community
Woman's life a labor of love

Williams resident Aggie Bustillos will head up the Williams Labor Day parade Saturday at 11 a.m. Ryan Williams/WGCN

Williams resident Aggie Bustillos will head up the Williams Labor Day parade Saturday at 11 a.m. Ryan Williams/WGCN

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Aggie Bustillos, one of Williams' liveliest, and oldest, residents will head up this year's Labor Day parade as Grand Marshal.

Jan Shirley, with the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, said when chamber officials began discussing this year's theme "Then and Now" Bustillos seemed like a fitting choice.

"It's Labor Day so we were thinking about who has been working the longest," she said. "She is here and she's an incredible asset,"

Born in 1920 in Williams, Bustillos has been an active working member in the community since the beginning.

"I've been laboring all my life," Bustillos said. "I've had so many different jobs since I had the beauty shop."

Bustillos opened the beauty shop in 1938 at the age of 18. She said after that she worked for the Forest Service before opening the El Sombrero restaurant for the Gonzalez family. She and her husband went on to open a Shell gas station in Tusayan, which they ran for 12 years. During that time, Bustillos also worked at a gift store next door in her spare time.

Bustillos then worked at the Grand Canyon Country Inn.

"I used to bake and see that their rooms were clean," she said.

The above list of jobs is by no means exhaustive.

In 1998, Bustillos ended up working at the Forest Service Visitor Center for the Public Lands Interpretive Association where she has remained ever since. She currently manages the bookstore and retail operations.

"I do all the money and all that stuff," Bustillos said.

Bustillos continues to bake, make tamales which she sells around Williams and make an abundance of jellies and jams.

As far as heading up the parade goes, Bustillos said initially she wasn't sure she should be the Grand Marshal.

"At first I said 'I don't think so,'" she said. "Well, you know there are some ladies older than I am. Mrs. Olson is 97 and Betty Christman, she's about the same age as I am but I was born and raised here."

For Bustillos working has always been something to look forward to.

"I've worked but I've enjoyed it," she said. "It keeps me busy. Looking forward to doing something instead of just sitting home. Of course, I don't sit. I do a lot of cooking. A lot of baking."


Donate Report a Typo Contact