Published 6:00 pm Thursday, June 12, 2025
By Lanell Downs Smith
Pictures by Kris Harrell | In the Lowndes County Courthouse courtyard, a poster features pictures of Sheriff John “Big John” Williams.
Pictures by Kris Harrell | Approximately 80 bikers attend the Ramblin Thunder bike rally.
Motorcyclists honor “Big John” with 102-mile trek
For the sixth year, Hayneville’s town square will be transformed by the rumbling of machines, coming alive with riders for the annual Sheriff “Big John” Williams Ramblin’ Thunder 4/5 Motorcycle Rally.
The event kicks off Saturday, June 14 at 8 a.m. for a 102-mile trek across the Lowndes County roads Williams patrolled daily before his 2019 shooting death.
“The ride is intended to sort of imitate the type of county-wide coverage that Big John was famous for making every day of his life,” said Lowndesboro resident Jeff Berry. “It’s an opportunity to make some noise and remind the community that Big John’s spirit is still very much alive.”
Launched in 2020 by Daniel and Angela Rudolph as a one-time memorial ride, the rally continues today as a fundraiser for scholarships honoring the late sheriff’s legacy.
“[At first] we just wanted to do a small ride in his honor to commemorate him on that one particular day,” said Angela Rudolph. “We were looking for maybe four or five bikers to ride with us, but it turned out that we had about 30 show up. From there, we decided to do it annually for a memorial scholarship fund for the three schools here — The Calhoun School, Central High School and Lowndes Academy.”
According to Daniel, the rally was so popular that riders asked to do another. He said he began thinking about how to use the event to support scholarships for local students, and soon he connected with District Judge Adrian Johnson, chairman of the Children’s Policy Council, who was also considering ways to fund scholarship opportunities.
“My thought was, ‘How can we start a scholarship fund?’” Daniel said. “At the same time, he was thinking the same thing. We bumped into each other and we started talking about it. [I knew] I could organize a bike ride along with the scholarship fund and it would generate funds for the scholarships.”
So far, the rally has helped generate around $40,000 for scholarships benefitting Lowndes County students attending college. The Rudolphs said a cousin received the scholarship one year, and knowing they are part of helping area youths further their education has been a heartwarming experience.
“My heart bubbles over because I just enjoy helping people,” Angela said. “The community knows that they can call on us and we are available to lend a hand, no matter what the cause as long as its a good cause. We do a lot to give back to our community and it makes my heart feel so full to know we are helping someone.”
Daniel does his homework and each year he plans a new route across the beautiful landscape of “the 4-5.” He surveys road surfaces, making sure the path is suitable for motorcycles and ranges no farther than 120 miles, round trip, while showcasing the scenery of the area.
“This year we will be going through Hicks Hill and Black Belt communities,” Daniel said. “We are going down through the Gordonville and Braggs communities and into Butler County, past Sherling Lake.”
For a $10 donation, all riders are welcome to join the cavalcade composed of community members and law enforcement officers. Vendors will be on the square at the event’s opening and riders will break for a rest in Fort Deposit at the National Guard Armory.
For more information, visit https://www.ramblinthunder45.com.
