Over the Fourth of July weekend, devastating floods swept through parts of Central Texas, changing lives in a matter of hours. For many in the Bertram community, the destruction felt personal—because it was.
C.R. Williamson—great-grandson of “Three-legged Willie” Williamson—and his wife Gayle are familiar, well-loved faces. When floodwaters rose rapidly that weekend, they, their daughter Donna and her husband Randy, found themselves trapped inside the home that held decades of family life.
As water climbed, eventually reaching less than two feet from the ceiling, the family made a split-second decision that would save their lives. They were able to climb onto the roof and wait for rescue. First responders later cut them out and evacuated them by boat, an ordeal that still feels surreal to recount.
When the water finally receded, nearly everything was gone. Vehicles, clothing, furniture, and family keepsakes were lost. The house itself was left nearly unrecognizable—saturated and unsafe—requiring a complete gut down to the framing. Recovery would not be quick, and it would not be simple.
After Headlines Fade
That reality is what Kendra Cofer encountered when she first met the Williamsons. As founder of L4 Cares, she visited flood-affected areas to observe recovery efforts already underway. When she met C.R. and Gayle and heard their story, the magnitude of what they were facing was immediately clear.
“My heart went out to them,” Kendra said. “I didn’t know what the plan was going to be yet, but I knew we needed to stay with them.”
Like many families impacted by the flood, the Williamsons stared down an uncertain future. Insurance would not cover the full rebuild, and the loss extended far beyond walls and flooring.
A Chain of Yeses
Kendra began making calls. One of those calls was to Tracy Hayes with CWS Corporate Housing. For more than three decades, CWS has operated in Texas, and although the company now has offices across the country, Tracy says Central Texas will always be home.
“Anytime there’s a need in the community, we feel very privileged to help,” Tracy said. “And because we have access to furniture and housewares, we’ve been able to support people who are trying to get a fresh start.”
Through partnerships with nonprofits serving veterans, homeless youth, and individuals coming out of foster care, addiction, or homelessness, Tracy has seen firsthand how much dignity is restored when someone has a place they’re proud to call home.
“That’s why, when Kendra called about the Williamsons, it was a no-brainer,” she said. “They’re just such a neat couple.”
When Community Becomes Personal
Tracy then mentioned the situation to her son-in-law, Justin Jacobs, owner of Grand Endeavor Homes, and asked if he would be willing to visit the property. No decisions or promises were made in advance but the group set out to see the home and understand the scope of what had been lost.
Standing inside the stripped shell of the house, Justin recognized C.R. from years earlier—a reminder of how closely connected the community truly is. “This wasn’t just a project,” Kendra said. “This was someone we knew.”
Justin made it clear this was not a business venture. After walking the home and listening to the family’s story, he made a quiet decision that changed the course of their recovery.
Six months later, the Williamsons’ home has been completely rebuilt and restored from the studs up. Walls, systems, and finishes have been replaced. Furniture has been delivered. What was once a hollowed-out structure is now a place of warmth again.
But Justin is quick to redirect attention away from himself.
“This isn’t about me,” he said. “It’s about helping your neighbor—and remembering there are still people who haven’t recovered yet.”
Tracy agrees, and hopes the story serves a larger purpose. “This isn’t to toot anyone’s horn,” she said. “But someday Justin’s kids will read about the legacy of the Jacobs family generosity and, beyond that, maybe it inspires one builder, or framer, or a window company to step in. We can all make a difference.”
The Long Road Still Ahead
That reminder matters. While the Williamsons’ story is one of renewal, many families across Central Texas are still waiting. In places like Sandy Creek, residents remain displaced months later, living in RVs while navigating permits, codes, and the long process of rebuilding. “The work is still going on,” Tracy said. “It’s just not in the news anymore.”
When Hope Returns Home
Through grants, donations, and partnerships, L4 Cares has continued working behind the scenes—coordinating donated flooring, rebuilding driveways, distributing gift cards, and connecting families with resources. They saw the impact of that presence when furniture was delivered to the Williamson home.
“The transformation wasn’t just physical,” Kendra says. “Their eyes were shining. They were laughing, telling stories about family gatherings. You could see hope return.”
The Work Continues
For the Williamsons, Justin, Kendra, and Tracy, the hope is simple: that this single home might serve as a reminder to stay aware, look around, and help when we can.