Norvah Williams was more than a resident of Norco—she was a pillar of the community, a tireless volunteer, and a dedicated advocate for the city she loved. From the moment she arrived in Norco in 1986, she threw herself into service, embodying the spirit of giving back and making a difference wherever she could.
Norvah’s love for Norco was immediate and unwavering. She found a home in this close-knit, horse-loving town and quickly became an active participant in organizations that shaped the community. Whether it was preserving Norco’s rural lifestyle, supporting local veterans, or helping those in need, she was always ready to step up and contribute.
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Over the last 30-plus years, Norvah dedicated countless hours to numerous organizations, including the Norco Horsemen’s Association, Norco Senior and Pet Relief Fund, RURAL, the Norco Fair Committee, Norco Horseweek Committee, Horsetown Hall of Fame, and Veterans Serving Veterans Norco Branch. She believed in service, in bringing people together, and in ensuring that Norco remained a place where neighbors help neighbors.
Norvah’s involvement in the Norco Fair and Norco Horseweek was especially close to her heart. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help organize events, fundraise, and ensure these cherished traditions continued to thrive. Whether it was presiding over activities, lending a hand wherever needed, or simply sharing her enthusiasm, Norvah played a significant role in making these events a success year after year.
Beyond her organizational contributions, Norvah was someone you could always count on. If there was a fundraiser for a family in need, she was there. If a community project needed extra hands, she showed up. If a friend was struggling, she was the first to offer support. She understood that a strong community isn’t just built through big events—it’s built through small acts of kindness, through showing up, and through always being willing to help.
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Her passion for volunteering extended to her love for Norco’s veterans. She was an active member of Veterans Serving Veterans, ensuring that those who had sacrificed so much for their country were supported, honored, and cared for. Norvah advocated for the wives and families left at home while their loved ones served. As a proud Navy wife, she made it a priority to ensure all within her reach had the resources they deserved.
Norvah’s leadership, dedication, and ability to bring people together were unmatched. She was a force of nature—determined, resilient, and always ready to fight for what she believed in. Even as life brought its share of challenges, she never wavered in her commitment to her community. Norvah was one of the inaugural inductees in 2024 to the Kathy Acevedo Spirit of Norco. An honor that embodies the true sense of volunteerism in our community.
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Her legacy is one of service, kindness, and unwavering support for the people and traditions of Norco. Her absence will be deeply felt, but her impact will live on in the organizations she strengthened, the events she helped shape, and the countless lives she touched.
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Norvah passed on February 8, 2025, and her family will be representing her in the Horseweek parade. The city of Norco lost one of the great ones.
Grand Marshal
Norvah Williams
Town Marshal
Geoff Kahan
Howdy! I am Geoff Kahan, and I moved to Norco in 1999 with my wife, Lisa, and our 2 children, Rachel and Jonathan. I became active in the community starting in 2003 as a Norco Little League assistant coach when Jonthan began T-Ball and later began volunteering as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Norco Boy Scout Troop 33. I later went on to serve as the Scoutmaster for 2 years from 2012 to 2014. During my 12 years of Scouting, I earned the Temescal District Award of Merit and the Inland Empire Council’s highest volunteer award, the Silver Beaver. I was also active in the Norco High School Blue Diamond Brigade parent’s booster club helping with halftime shows and local band competitions while Rachel was their Feature Twirler. In 2012, I was appointed to my first of 3 terms on the Parks and Recreation Commission where I served as the Chairman for 2 years. Shortly after starting on the Commission, I was appointed as an inaugural member of the, then, George A. Ingalls Veterans Committee, now known as the Norco Veterans Commission, where I served as its first official Chairman in 2023. In 2014, as a member of Norco’s 50th Birthday Celebration committee, I was in charge of the Car Show and Sock Hop at the Riley Gym and was instrumental in the Grand Opening ceremony of our Veterans Memorial. I have been a member of the Christmas Festival and Parade of Lights for 12 years and served as its Chairman for 4 years. I was responsible for requesting the City Council to officially rename the event from Winter Festival to Christmas Festival in 2015. Over the years, I have truly enjoyed helping with parking at the Hillside Craft Fair, announcing at all of the annual Norco parades, being the DJ at the Norco Fourth of July picnics and Mayor Trail Rides, announcing at the National Day of the American Cowboy, and being audio technician at the Veterans Memorial Plaza. I have also volunteered my DJ skills for the Corona Chamber of Commerce, local and statewide elected officials’ campaigns, the Norco Rotary Car Show and the Lake Norconian Club Foundation annual fundraisers. My family and I are long-time members of RURAL and the Norco Horsemen’s Association, where I served for 2 years on the Board of Directors. I took a short break in 2021 when I received my liver transplant, but within a few months, I was back on my feet and once again volunteering alongside my fellow Norconians. Norco has proven to be a fantastic town to live in and raise our kids. The wonderful Norco Horseweek committee, and all those associated with them, are truly the cream of the crop. I am extremely humbled, thankful, and honored to be asked by them to be the Town Marshal for Norco Horseweek 2025. Long live Horsetown, USA!
