Denise Williams has been a familiar face at Pizza Hut in Owensboro for more than four decades.
Born and raised in Owensboro, she began her Pizza Hut journey at the original location near the railroad tracks on Frederica Street in 1983. When that location closed in 1998, she moved to the current site, where she continues to run the weekday lunch shift with her trademark service and dedication.
“I just love my job,” Williams said. “I love people, and I love taking care of them. That’s what’s kept me here all these years.”
For Williams, the job has always been about the relationships. Regular customers, many of whom she’s served for decades, have become like family.
“I’ve been waiting on people in their 80s since I started,” she said. “Now I’m serving their children’s children – it’s been great.”
Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by her customers. Adam Morris, a regular, said Williams has made dining at Pizza Hut special.
“Denise is awesome,” Morris said. “When I walk in the door, she knows what I want to drink and what I want to eat. For someone to be somewhere for over 40 years — that’s commitment.”
Aerial Grant echoed those sentiments, calling Williams a wonderful server and friend.
“We’ve always come in here together over the years,” Grant said. “I don’t think there’s a person in the place who doesn’t know her. Forty-one years is a long time – what an accomplishment.”
Jennifer Glenn, another customer, praised Williams’ genuine care and personal touch.
“She’s very personable, very genuine, and she seems like she cares,” Glenn said. “Each time you come in, she knows you – even if she doesn’t know your name, she remembers your face. She’s great.”
The menu and technology at Pizza Hut have evolved over the years, but the core of Williams’ work has stayed the same. She recalled the days of sliding credit card machines and a simpler menu featuring only pan and thin-crust pizzas. Today, customers can choose from a variety of crusts, desserts, and even chicken wings.
But one thing hasn’t changed: the popularity of pepperoni pizzas.
“It’s always a toss-up between the pan and the thin-crust pepperoni,” Williams said.
In addition to her love for her customers, Williams credits her longevity to the supportive environment at Pizza Hut. Though the restaurant is now under new ownership, she said she enjoys working for a franchisee who shares her values. She’s also excited about upcoming renovations, hoping to bring back the nostalgic red-and-white retro look that many customers remember fondly.
Over the years, Williams has worked with countless employees, including her own daughter, who began serving at Pizza Hut at 16 and now works at LongHorn Steakhouse.
“I like to think I’ve been a good role model,” Williams said. “All my kids are hard workers, and I’m proud of the example I’ve set.”
Despite her long tenure, Williams remains humble.
“I’m not one for the limelight,” she said. “But I love what I do, and I love the people I serve. That’s what keeps me coming back.”
