Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
If it has an internal combustion engine, Hayden Williams has probably been a parts man or salesman for it: Tractors, other farm equipment, cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides.
His work is what brought him from Plainview, Texas, to eastern New Mexico a few years ago.
The News sat down with Williams on New Year’s eve in his office on East First St.
Q: Tell us about where you were born, where’ve you been?
A: I was born in Plainview, Texas.
I moved to Woodward, Okla., then back to Plainview. I ended up living in Portales and working in Clovis.
Q: How did you come to be in eastern New Mexico?
A: I was transferred from Plainview to Clovis when I worked for John Deere.
I’ve been here 11 years.
Q: As a Texan, what do you see as the difference between west Texas and eastern New Mexico?
A: Well, the laws and taxes for sure.
Here’s something different between the two states: In Texas you can carry a sword around, but not in New Mexico.
Q: Tell us about your family.
A: Mom lives in Portales, Dad lives in Plainview.
The rest of my family – aunts, uncles, cousins – are scattered all over Texas.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I thought I was gonna be rich and famous, I just didn’t know how I was going to do it.
Q: What jobs have you had?
A: I worked for John Deere in Plainview and in Clovis, Zia Powersports, Hamilton Automotive and now Beast Mode Equipment.
Q: What is your job these days?
A: I am general manager for Beast Mode.
We sell motorcycles, 4-wheeler all-terrain vehicles and utility vehicles.
My favorite of those is the sport motorcycle, like the Kawasaki Ninja.
Q: What is your sales philosophy?
A: Treat people right and you’ll have a forever customer, including their kids and friends.
Q: What’s your favorite place to vacation?
A: I don’t really vacation.
But I’d like to go to Angel Fire more.
I like snowboarding.
Angel Fire is a really nice, calm town.
Q: Is there a place in the world you’d really like to go?
A: I’d like to go to Japan.
I like their lifestyle, their culture.
Everything there seems to be more community based than “rat race.”
Q: Tell us something about yourself few people know.
A: I’ve died before.
When I was 4 years old, I had my tonsils taken out.
During the operation, my blood pressure spiked and my heart stopped.
They brought me back though.
Q: What’s the most dangerous animal?
A: Human.
Q: What’s the funniest movie?
A: “Idiocracy.”
It’s eerily familiar to what we have now.
Q: What’s your favorite song?
A: “Zombified” by Falling in Reverse. It’s a really good tune. It rocks hard. I crank it up.
Q: What’s the best sandwich?
A: The French Dip from Arby’s.
The eating style, dipping the sandwich in the au jus, makes it very juicy.
Q: What’s your favorite smell?
A: Leather.
Saddles, saddle bags. It reminds me of my dad’s tack room when I was young.
Q: What’s a perfect day for you?
A: One that I’m motivated to get up for.
Q: What’s your favorite dish?
A: Ribeye steak, medium rare, at Texas Roadhouse.
If I’m cooking, I get it from Foote Family Meats here.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: Random people I see showing kindness.
It reminds me I’m not the only one and to not get lazy about it, about showing kindness.
Q: What’s your favorite saying or quote.
A: “Awesome saucem.”
