It is with great sadness that the City of Pell City acknowledges the passing of Judge William E. (Bill) Hereford on April 12, 2024.

Mayor Hereford was, above all, an exemplary public servant and beloved leader who endeavored to prepare his community for the future. His efforts to improve the lives of Pell City residents began long before he served as the Mayor from 2008 to 2012, and they continued long after.

While in office, he led with the phrase, “The 21st Century is ours.” His priority was to galvanize the City of Pell City behind the common goal of excellence; to ready it for what it is today, and to prepare it for what the future may bring.

He began by undertaking a professionalization of the City’s workforce, creating invaluable positions in City administration, including the first Public Works Director, Chief Financial Officer and Information Technology Specialist. He would go on to champion the City’s transition to a Council-Manager form of government, leading the Council to create and fill the position of City Manager. 

“The impact of Bill Hereford’s efforts to transition the role of mayor to part-time and establish the position of City Manager cannot be overstated,” Mayor Bill Pruitt said. “He recognized that we were changing rapidly, and that we had to embrace growth or we would be left behind. I will always be grateful for his humility, his leadership, and his unwavering dedication to his community, all of which led us to where we are today.”

Mayor Hereford’s vision for Pell City facilitated a period of robust, transformative growth. During Hereford’s term, he recruited and developed numerous valuable projects that significantly impact the lives of Pell City residents today.

“It was a very active time with a myriad of major projects being handled,” said St. Clair County District Judge Alan Furr, who served as City Attorney during a portion of Mayor Hereford’s term. “Every project that he pursued as Mayor was intended for the betterment of Pell City. He was really selfless. He had no concern to gain credit for himself, he just wanted good things for the citizens of Pell City.”

His collaborative work included securing the location of both Publix and the Robert L. Howard Veterans Home in Pell City, and he led to completion the years-long effort to secure a partnership with Ascension Health that saw the construction of St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital.

_{Mayor Bill Hereford, front row, second from right, during the groundbreaking ceremony for St. Vincent’s St. Clair.}

“He was involved in everything, and his intentions were to always be a friend to the people of Pell City,” said Council Member Jay Jenkins, who Hereford appointed to the Pell City City Council.

Prior to his years in office, Mayor Hereford served as St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge from 1991-2004. His time on the bench proved invaluable in developing relationships that would help him claim the 21st Century for the City.

In 2001, he was a member of the leadership team that designed and built Kids Kastle at Lakeside Park in Pell City. His responsibility was to locate and engage volunteers to help with construction of the playground, and he delivered. More than 2,000 people answered his call to aid in the project, which he fondly referred to in later years as “the best civic project I’ve ever been involved in.”

_{Hereford, left, reviews plans during the construction of Kids Kastle at Lakeside Park in Pell City.}

In 2004, while serving as Circuit Judge, he led in the creation of the City’s Social Services Building located behind City Hall in the former County Health Department. He proposed its purchase and renovation to the City Council for the purpose of housing various charitable organizations including the Christian Love Pantry, Community Action Agency, and the American Red Cross.

In 2006, he assisted in the organization and development of the Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA), a collaborative effort among the City of Pell City, Pell City Schools and many other organizations and individuals. He led efforts to raise more than $350,000 in funds for the construction of the 400-seat performing arts center and 2,000-seat gymnasium that opened in 2007.

More recently, Hereford was known for his warmth and humor as he endeavored to continue growing his community. His countless volunteer hours were spent serving numerous philanthropic and humanitarian efforts that would assist his friends and neighbors.

Hereford supported the creation and expansion of the St. Clair Community Health Clinic, which serves uninsured residents of St. Clair County. He also served as the local United Way Campaign Chair, directed funding to St. Clair County as a member of the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, and served on the Board for Lakeside Hospice.

Hereford was a Charter Member, a Past President, and a Paul Harris Fellow with the Pell City Rotary Club.

“On a personal level, Bill was an important part of my life for over 35 years,” former Pell City Mayor Guin Robinson said. “He was a mentor, confidant, and dear friend. As a veteran, lawyer, Judge, Mayor and civic leader with a keen business sense, he was completely ingrained in the community and beyond. At his core he loved people, all people! His family shared him with us and for that we are all grateful. For all who had the great fortune of knowing him our lives were made richer and more complete and for that we are eternally thankful! We will miss him.”

Mayor Hereford will be remembered as a tireless champion for the City of Pell City, for his unwavering dedication to bettering the lives of its residents, and for his steadfast positivity for what lies ahead.

“Given his many roles through the years, I sometimes called him Judge Hereford and sometimes called him Mayor Hereford,” Mayor Pruitt said. “I’m most honored, however, for the privilege of calling him my friend.”

Our deepest thanks to you, Mayor Hereford. The 21st Century is ours.