Former Kent County Commissioner William Pickrum passed away on April 15, 2021.
Commissioner Pickrum dedicated his decades-long career to public service – serving in local government, the military, and higher education. He also served on MACo’s Board of Directors. The Kent County Commissioners voted to honor him by proclaiming April 30 as “William W. Pickrum Day.”
The proclamation reads as follows:
KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
PROCLAMATION
WILLIAM W. PICKRUM DAY
APRIL 30, 2021
WHEREAS, William W. Pickrum served as a County Commissioner of Kent County, Maryland for sixteen years from 2002 to 2018; as President in his first term, and again in his fourth term from 2014 to 2018; and
WHEREAS, William dedicated many years to public service as Acting County Administrator in July of 2015; 1st Vice-President of the Maryland Association of Counties and a member of the Counties’ Legislative Committee; member of the Board of Directors for the Maryland Broadband Cooperative; Upper Shore Aging Board of Directors; and as President of Upper Shore Regional Council, and
WHEREAS, William focused his efforts to support African American history; the Charles Sumner Post No. 25 Grand Army of the Republic; and the Kent County Arts Community; he was determined to share experiences and enrich the lives of all; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the Kent County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; Executive Board for the Boy Scouts of America Del-Mar-Va Council; and the Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission, William knew the fundamental need for a place for children, families, and people of all ages to recreate. After many years of the Commissioners’ efforts to bring a Community Center to Kent County, the project was completed 2010; and
WHEREAS, William touched the lives of many as a staunch supporter of education, the great equalizer, and in 2016 he led the initiative to rename the Kent County Community Center building to honor Clarence A. Hawkins, Sr.; and
WHEREAS, honor, duty, service, and sacrifice are part of the legacy that William leaves behind to the Parker White American Legion Post No. 143, United States Coast Guard, and the United States Service Academy Selection Committee; and
WHEREAS, William lent his voice to many priorities while serving as Commissioner affirming that diversity was an important safeguard to ensure everyone’s voice was heard; and
WHEREAS, William utilized his public administrative education to guide the County’s financial decisions for sixteen years, purposefully acknowledging the County’s fiduciary responsibility to its taxpayers, and the citizens of Kent County greatly benefitted from his guidance; and
WHEREAS, William acted as a leader, friend, and mentor to County employees, assisting them to achieve professional success and to best serve the citizens of the County; and
WHEREAS, the County Commissioners of Kent County, Maryland do hereby posthumously recognize and honor William W. Pickrum; then
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND, do hereby proclaim April 30, 2021, as “William W. Pickrum Day”
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
P. Thomas Mason, President
Ronald H. Fithian, Member
