Wales Retires After 29 Years Of Service

by Dwight Turner A large crowd of grateful citizens gathered on the afternoon of Sunday, May 6 to pay honor to a much-loved and highly respected member of the Ardmore Community. The ceremony, held in the First National Bank Community Room, was in celebration of the retirement of Water Department Supervisor Billy Wales. Wales has served the Ardmore community in a number of capacities for 29 years and has become a very familiar name and face to local residents. Noted for always having a smile on his face and a happy word to say to whomever he encountered, Wales will be sorely missed by supervisors, co-workers and residents in general.

Ardmore Water Department Supervisor Billy Wales and wife Judy display a watch and cash, presented to Wales in honor of his retirement at a ceremony held in the First National Bank Community Room May 6. (photo by Dwight Turner)

On hand to pay tribute to Wales were Town of Ardmore, AL Mayor Eugene Shannon, Water Department Chairman Billy Shannon, City of Ardmore, TN Alderwoman Janice Reece, City of Ardmore, TN Alderwoman Laurene Schrimsher, and Ardmore Police Chief William “Doc” Oliver.

Chief Oliver began by sharing several humorous stories involving Wales and both Mayor Shannon and Councilman Shannon expressed their gratitude for the services rendered to Ardmore over the years by Wales. A watch and a card containing an undisclosed amount of cash were presented to Wales as a retirement gift.

Several of those in attendance expressed their gratitude to Wales.

“We will miss Billy Wales being around everyday,” said Alderwoman Reece. “Every time you met Billy driving down the street, he would smile and wave. I wish him the best in his retirement years.”