SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College's Board of Trustees honored retiring trustee Bill Wilson Jr., of Sanford, for his 20 years of service during its July 23 meeting in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.

N.C. Gov. Jim Hunt first appointed Wilson to the board of trustees in 1994. He was reappointed by Govs. Mike Easley and Bev Perdue for a total of five four-year terms. With 20 years on the board, he is one of the longest serving trustees in the college's history. During that time, he served two terms as board chairman, from 2004-2006.

Board Chair Julian Philpott and CCCC President Bud Marchant presented him with a print of artist Jerry Miller's pen-and-ink drawing of college buildings.

"It has been a real honor to serve with you," Marchant told Wilson. "You have been a strong advocate for the college and a strong supporter of the CCCC Foundation."

Wilson gave unstintingly of his time and talents to help build CCCC into the great institution it is today, Marchant said. He served during the terms of three college presidents: Dr. Marvin Joyner, Dr. Matthew Garrett and Marchant.

"It's been a long journey, a privilege and honor to be a trustee and advocate for the college," Wilson said. "I'm proud of what this college has done. It's been a great journey and I will continue to work for this college."

Wilson has practiced law in Sanford since 1977 and is a partner in the law firm of Wilson & Reives. He has been an active community volunteer over the years. Among the awards he has received are "Volunteer of the Year," from Gov. Hunt in 1993; and the "1996 Member of the Year" and "2002 Small Business Person of the Year" from the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce.

"You see what Bill Wilson has done in this community every time you turn around," Philpott said.

A major contribution can be seen at the former W.B. Wicker School. It was originally opened in the 1920s as a school for black children and youth. Community donations and a grant from the Rosenwald Foundation funded the construction.

In 1969, public school integration resulted in Wicker's older students going to Sanford High School. Wicker was used as a middle school and for other purposes until it was closed in 1990.

In 1997, Wilson purchased the school to prevent its being razed and, in 2001, deeded it to Brick Capital Community Development Corporation. Extensive restoration and renovation were done and the building was dedicated as the W.B. Wicker Business Campus in 2006. Now, Wicker is one of the few remaining Rosenwald schools and is in the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places.

CCCC started leasing space at the Wicker Business Campus in 2007 and it now houses the college's Lifelong Learning Center, Triangle South Workforce Development Board, Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs, and other offerings.

"This facility has been brought back to its original use as an educational institution," said Marchant. "Bill Wilson has served our college and community with excellence for many years and we are grateful for his service."

Retiring trustee Tony Lett, of Sanford, who served 16 years on the board, and Sanford Mayor Chet Mann, who served one term on the board, were also honored.