By Stephen Smoot
Last week a City of Shinnston Council member whose impact extends well beyond local government administration announced his retirement.
Bill Watson served as City Council member, as Mayor Patrick Kolvack remembers, for eight and a half years. Mayor Kolvack stated that “I’ve known Bill since I was in kindergarten. He was my history teacher in high school.”
The Mayor described a tough, no-nonsense instructor who was to many “one of the most feared teachers.” He added, however, that “one they had him for class, that fear went away and you understood what a great teacher he was.”
In addition to teaching history, Watson also coached football.
“He was an all around great man and he brought that to the Council,” shared Mayor Kolvack.
Cities face a number of challenges, but the foundation for quality of life lies in good roads, water and sewer networks that function properly, well-illuminated streets, and also the kinds of aesthetic touches that help to beautify it.
“If it had anything to do with infrastructure,” Mayor Kolvack stated, “Bill was on it.”
Watson assisted the city in getting what was necessary to keep that foundation functional. As other areas have endured crises in water and sewer, Watson’s work helped to keep Shinnston ahead of the ever-present specter of wear and tear and unexpected problems. He specialized, as the Mayor described, in “the nuts and bolts of local government.”
Kathleen Panek, Shinnston City Clerk, also shared Watson’s style of leadership and service. She said “he never spoke to hear the sound of his own voice, when he spoke it made sense. His opinions and his votes were important to making Shinnston what it is today. It would not have happened as it did without him.”
Mayor Kovalck also pointed out Watson’s quiet nature, stating “he’s such a modest man. He never walked into a room with an air about him.”
Watson was not merely part of the foundation of the City. All of his life, he has been a steadfast Christian whose efforts have benefited his home church, Enterprise United Methodist.
“I’m surely going to miss him. He was my vice mayor during my first term,” shared Mayor Kovalck.