Willie Edwards is retiring with a “swish” this week.

The City of Andalusia’s Director of Leisure Services said he’s not sure what he’s going to do next, but he plans to be living.

Edwards, who’s led recreation in Andalusia for the past four years, was honored with a retirement reception on Thursday.

“I’ve been trying the last couple of weeks to grapple with it,” he said. “But life is too short. Spend your time left on earth to do what you want to do. Spend your time living ‘cause surely you’re gonna die.”

Before leading parks and recreation in Andalusia, he worked in a similar role for the City of Opp, where he had worked since 2011.

“I was working in Opp City Schools, and I was managing the pool for the city,” he recalled. “I was also refereeing basketball and umpiring baseball. A job opened on the grounds crew, and I decided to make a change. From there, I continued to move up.”

He also coached the boys and girls basketball teams at Opp High School.

Edwards thanked the crowd gathered for his celebration and encouraged them to appreciate people.

Edwards said he plans to move to the Auburn area to be closer to family, and he will continue to pastor the Star of Hope Baptist Church in Luverne, where he has been the minister since 2002.