City officials, employees of Benton (Arkansas) Utilities and a number of community residents were present when the city’s new wastewater collections building was dedicated earlier this month in the memory of longtime employee, Leon Wilson, the Benton Courier reported.

“We are honored and privileged to be gathered here today to dedicate this building in the memory of Leon Wilson, a retired 35-year employee of Benton Utilities,” General Manager Terry McKinney told the crowd.

Wilson, the former manager of wastewater collections, died on July 25. He was 56 years old. A permanent marker — which was unveiled during the ceremony — includes Wilson's image and is located adjacent to the sign on the new building.

“Leon had a deep well of knowledge regarding the utilities, city politics and the city in general,” wrote Benton Utilities. “Leon showed himself to be a dedicated worker, a caring co-worker, a loving friend, and was an asset to Benton Utilities. … Leon epitomized the dedication to the job he performed here.”

Wilson began working for the City of Benton Street Department in 1978 before being laid off two years later. Soon thereafter, he was hired as a laborer in the Wastewater Department; he worked three days a week, weekends and holidays at $4.67 per hour.

In 1984, Wilson was promoted to apprentice operator and then to Operator I on Jan. 1, 1996. Three years later he was appointed to "lead man of the line crew," and in 2000 was promoted to wastewater collections manager by then Mayor Lynn Moore, holding the position for more than 13 years until his retirement.

Source: Benton Courier