Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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30 UCW OCTOBER 5 - 11, 2022 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Wilson Lacy remembered as public servant by BILL KIRBY JR., CityView Today Community leaders are remembering the late Wilson Lacy for his longtime county and city service, including time with Cumberland County Schools and his three terms as chairman of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. Mr. Lacy died Sept. 22. He was 74. "Former PWC Commissioner Wilson Lacy was the epitome of a community person who cared about the quality of life for Cumberland County residents," said Evelyn Shaw, chairwoman of the Fayetteville PWC board. "He considered himself every person's neighbor. Moreover, he welcomed the opportunity to champion small, local busi- nesses. His caring ways and people skills were evident in each interaction. It is my hope that leg- acy-makers, like him, will be well remembered." Board members took time for a moment of silence before the Sept. 28 PWC board meeting. Mr. Lacy served three terms as a board member of the city-owned utility from 2001 to 2013 and was elected chairman in 2003-2005, 2008-2009 and 2012-2013. e utility and its customers al- ways remained close to Mr. Lacy's heart. "My last conversation with Mr. Lacy was just a few weeks ago when we had a water emergency on Labor Day weekend," said Carolyn Justice- Hinson, a spokeswoman for the utility. "He had received an inquiry from an upset customer that was impacted and he reached out to me for infor- mation so he could share an update with them. He could have easily told them he hadn't been on the board in almost 10 years and referred them somewhere else, but he took the time to help them." Mr. Lacy retired from Cumberland County Schools as executive director of operations in charge of building and grounds. "I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Lacy in his role with the school system as well as a PWC commissioner," said Mick Noland, the interim chief executive officer and general manager of the utility. "He was always a gentleman, knew what was going on in the community and was com- mitted to collaboratively working out solutions to the many challenges that arose in the course of conducting business. He always had in mind serving the best interests of the students and PWC customers." Mr. Lacy was an employee with the school system from Jan. 1, 1994, until his retirement on Oct. 1, 2018. "We are saddened by the passing of Dr. Wilson Lacy," Cumberland County Schools Superinten- dent Marvin Connelly Jr. and Greg West, chair- man of the school board, said in a joint statement. Dr. Lacy's notable contributions to the school system helped provide students with an excep- tional learning environment to achieve success in school and in life. "In addition to his contributions to the school system, Dr. Lacy invested much of his time and resources for the betterment of our community. He will certainly be missed. Heartfelt condo- lences are extended to his family and loved ones on behalf of the Cumberland County Board of Education and Cumberland County Schools." Born in Bladen County, Mr. Lacy served in the Army National Guard and graduated from his beloved Shaw University in Raleigh, where he remained an ardent supporter of the Shaw Uni- versity Alumni Association and fundraising for student scholarships. 'Giant of a man' Mr. Lacy's death has resonated throughout the city. "Dr. Wilson Lacy was a true servant leader who worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for his family and this community," Mayor Mitch Colvin said. "is is a tremendous loss and he will indeed be missed by all who knew this giant of a man." Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Dawkins said Mr. Lacy was a friend to his mayoral father, and later to him. And if Mr. Lacy made a promise, he kept it. "Dr. Lacy was a man of his word," Dawkins said. "His wit and wisdom will be missed." Glenn Adams said Mr. Lacy leaves a lasting legacy. "Wilson Lacy will truly be missed by this community," said Adams, chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commission- ers. "His advocacy for the Martin Luther King Park goes beyond imagination. He truly kept the dream alive, and it's important that we fulfill his desire to make sure that that park comes to frui- tion. Wilson was also strong on education as he was a staunch supporter of Shaw University. He never forgot his alma mater, and that is what we should all desire to have to make sure our alma mater is strong. It goes without saying about his time on PWC. He was a strong advocate for the city and for this community. Wilson Lacy's legacy is one that we should all aspire to follow." An evening of honor Former mayor Tony Chavonne developed a close relationship with Mr. Lacy and recalled be- ing honored to speak about him at an MLK Com- mittee banquet several years ago. "To really speak about a person, we have to look deeper than what a person calls himself or what he wears," Chavonne said at the banquet honor- ing Mr. Lacy. "We have to see where he comes from. We have to look at how he was raised. We have to look into his heart. at is where you find the true test of a man." Chavonne, now publisher of CityView Media, told the audience about Mr. Lacy's willingness to work with all as one in the community, and how Mr. Lacy agreed to serve as co-chairman of the Greater Fayetteville Futures that "helped make that effort successful and helped result in signifi- cant improvements in this community over the past six years." Services A Celebration of Life was scheduled for Sept. 29 at the Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters in Raeford. A homecoming service was scheduled for Sept. 30 at First Baptist Church in Bladenboro. Mr. Lacy will be buried at Brooklyn Memorial Gardens. He is survived by his wife, Claretha Lew- is Lacy; daughters, Deana McQuitty of Greens- boro, Cleopatrice Robinson of Raleigh and Felicia Evans Long of Rockville, Maryland; a brother, the Rev. Cleopatrick Lacy of Griffin, Georgia; and three grandchildren. Lacy was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine in 2007, shown here with (left) Lula Crenshaw and (middle) Rep. Mary McAllister. FEATURE Wilson Lacy died Sept. 22 at the age of 74. Considered the epitome of a public servant, Lacy was a community advo- cate and served as a PWC board member. He retired from Cumberland County Schools in 2018 after 24 years. (Photos this page courtesy PWC) BILL KIRBY JR., CityView Today. COMMENTS? editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. As PWC Chairman of the Board, Lacy signing a power supply contract in 2009, along with former PWC CEO Steve Blanchard (standing, center) and other board members.