The City of Lakewood said thank you Monday night to the only mayor the young city has ever known during an emotional tribute to Bill Harrison.

Friends, co-workers past and present, fellow mayors and citizens packed Lakewood City Hall Council Chambers to honor Harrison for his lifetime of public service. Harrison is resigning as mayor at year’s end, although he will stay on the council to serve out his remaining two years.

Harrison’s public service goes beyond his tenure as Lakewood’s mayor, a position he has held since the city’s inception in 1995, when voters approved incorporation. Lakewood officially became a city in 1996.

Prior to helping guide Lakewood through the formation process, Harrison was a former three-star commanding general of I Corps and Fort Lewis. He retired from the Army in 1991.

Those who know Harrison best praised his leadership skills – especially his quiet ability to forge compromises – and his concern for his fellow man.

Tony Robinson, vice president for operations and facilities at Clover Park Technical College and chair of the Board of the Lakewood Chamber, thanked Harrison – whom he referred to as “Mr. Lakewood” – for his eight years of devotion and service to Lakewood.

“Not even you Bill could’ve imagined how successful the city would be,” he said. “We’re going to miss you.”

Showing the good humor that is one of his trademarks, Harrison said all the nice things being said of him reminded him of an obituary.

“I’m going to be around a while longer,” he stated.

Lakewood City Manager Scott Rohlfs also had kind words for Harrison’s stewardship of a youthful Lakewood and its employees.

“He has been there from the very beginning for the staff,” Rohlfs said, spotlighting Harrison as a bridge between them and the community.

Mayor Pro Tem of Olympia Mark Foutch made the journey from Thurston County, presenting Harrison with on official City of Olympia lapel pin.

“We wish you the very best,” he said. “You’re a delight to know.”

That opinion was confirmed by Lakewood City Councilwoman Helen McGovern, who read portions from a thick memory book containing photographs, letters and other mementos of Harrison’s life.

She read several letters from various people complimenting Harrison, including one from Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, who called Harrison his “favorite mayor.”

Lakewood Deputy Mayor Claudia Thomas presented Harrison with a “Lakewood Volunteer of the Year Award” plaque with his portrait on it.
The plaque included open spaces for future “Lakewood Volunteer of the Year Award” winners.

With all of the talk of Harrison’s stepping down as mayor on Dec. 31, it was easy to forget that the mayor would remain on the city council for the next two years and is still heavily involved with the community.

“I guess I would tell you he’s still present for duty,” said Lt. Gen. Edward Soriano, commander of I Corps and Fort Lewis, recalling how he sought out Harrison for advice, friendship and support when he was the incoming commander. “He’s still interested in what’s going on at Fort Lewis.”

“We’re in trying times right now,” Soriano noted, a reference to ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, “so we could use all the support we can get.”

In addition to staying on as a member of the Lakewood City Council, Harrison is a former and current member of several civic and political organizations, as well as several executive boards and committees.

His voice cracking with emotion, Harrison said of all the achievements in his life, being elected to serve as mayor of Lakewood has been his greatest honor.

Following the tribute, a long line of well-wishers immediately formed to greet the outgoing mayor at what was the final Lakewood City Council meeting of the year.