The Broom Man Project

[Coyote]

The Broom Man Project Is an effort to raise funds to create a Bronze Sculpture to keep the memory alive of an Omaha Icon, The Broom Man - Livingston Wills.

It was said that one of the Reverend's favorite scripture passages was the following found in Psalms 133:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!


"The hearts of the people of Omaha were for him," said Bernadine Jefferson, a friend of about 50 years. "I think a lot of people felt like he was part of their family. He was joyful and he had a good memory."

...Jefferson said Wills lived his life as God had instructed: "Love thy neighbor as thyself. Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you."

[Omaha Cowboy]

I hope this tribute comes to fruition..

I used to see this guy all the time walking along Saddle Creek Rd in the late 80's/early 90's.. and he was a heck of a nice guy. A legendary part of the 20th Certury urban Omaha mosaic.. Anyone who lived in or frequented this area of Omaha in the 80's or 90's, remembers the "Broom Man"...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Greg S]

Bought my first house in the 90's. Before we moved in got our broom for it from him. My Dad had been buying brooms from him for years. My Dad really looked up to him.

Greg

[GRANDPASMUCKER]

I can remember back in my heavy partying days in the late 70s and it was always a mind blower to be driving along half ripped and see the broom man walking down the street. One time around 2000 and something I was eating at the Old Country Buffet on 74th & Dodge and the Broom Man was there eating with a small entourage of about 6 or 7 people. After the Broom Man got done eating they went out and got his nice big blue Cadillac and pulled it up by the front door. The Cadillac was pretty new and nice and had Broom Man vanity plates on it. The Broom Man came outside and stood by the front door/his caddy and quickly sold about 6 or 7 brooms in about 10 minutes. His entourage then loaded him up into the car and the show went down the road.

[Brad]

Bronze statue to honor the 'Broom Man' in Omaha's Midtown Crossing

https://www.ketv.com/article/bronze-sta ... g/71176036

A bronze statue of the Rev. Livingston Wills, affectionately called the "Broom Man," will soon stand in Midtown Crossing in Omaha as a tribute to his legacy and contributions to the community.

Sculptor John Lajba described the effort to capture Wills' essence in the statue.

"He never thought of himself as a bigger-than-life person. He just thought of himself as someone who did his best," Lajba said.

The statue will be installed at the corner of Farnam Street and Turner Boulevard, just north of the World War II Memorial, with the dedication expected to take place in September.

[Louie]

Come together with your hands
Save me
Im together with your plan

[Garrett]

I've always thought that if the Kerrey Bridge were to have another name, naming it after Livingston Wills would feel appropriate.

[Linkin5]

I can remember back in my heavy partying days in the late 70s and it was always a mind blower to be driving along half ripped and see the broom man walking down the street. One time around 2000 and something I was eating at the Old Country Buffet on 74th & Dodge and the Broom Man was there eating with a small entourage of about 6 or 7 people. After the Broom Man got done eating they went out and got his nice big blue Cadillac and pulled it up by the front door. The Cadillac was pretty new and nice and had Broom Man vanity plates on it. The Broom Man came outside and stood by the front door/his caddy and quickly sold about 6 or 7 brooms in about 10 minutes. His entourage then loaded him up into the car and the show went down the road.

Such a classic Grandpa Smucker post.

[Louie]

I can remember back in my heavy partying days in the late 70s and it was always a mind blower to be driving along half ripped and see the broom man walking down the street. One time around 2000 and something I was eating at the Old Country Buffet on 74th & Dodge and the Broom Man was there eating with a small entourage of about 6 or 7 people. After the Broom Man got done eating they went out and got his nice big blue Cadillac and pulled it up by the front door. The Cadillac was pretty new and nice and had Broom Man vanity plates on it. The Broom Man came outside and stood by the front door/his caddy and quickly sold about 6 or 7 brooms in about 10 minutes. His entourage then loaded him up into the car and the show went down the road.

Such a classic Grandpa Smucker post.

He hasn’t been active in awhile. Wonder what happened.

[nebugeater]

I can remember back in my heavy partying days in the late 70s and it was always a mind blower to be driving along half ripped and see the broom man walking down the street. One time around 2000 and something I was eating at the Old Country Buffet on 74th & Dodge and the Broom Man was there eating with a small entourage of about 6 or 7 people. After the Broom Man got done eating they went out and got his nice big blue Cadillac and pulled it up by the front door. The Cadillac was pretty new and nice and had Broom Man vanity plates on it. The Broom Man came outside and stood by the front door/his caddy and quickly sold about 6 or 7 brooms in about 10 minutes. His entourage then loaded him up into the car and the show went down the road.

Such a classic Grandpa Smucker post.

He hasn’t been active in awhile. Wonder what happened.

Last active:Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:03 pm

[Linkin5]

I think he created another account with a similar name that stopped posting around Covid time.

[nebugeater]

I think he created another account with a similar name that stopped posting around Covid time.

GrandpaaSmucker
Last active:Wed Nov 10, 2021 7:14 am

[thenewguy]

Come together with your hands
Save me
Im together with your plan

haha

[jjjjhskr]

Went to the unveiling of the Broom Man statue in Turner park. Several hundred people were in attendance. I remember him selling broom in my neighborhood growing up. A very nice tribute.