Lions Dedicate Tree and Plaque

Sep 03, 2014

Close to 30 people gathered at the Railway Heritage Park in Sharbot Lake on Labour Day to witness a special dedication ceremony honoring Bill Morton, one of the community's long-time Lions Club members. Lions president Bill Pyle hosted the event, which was the brain child of fellow Lion Ron Hollywood. Roughly one year ago Hollywood put forth a motion at a Lions meetings to honour Morton by planting a maple tree and erecting a plaque in his honour at the Railway Heritage Park.Permission was granted by the Central Frontenac Railway Heritage Society and Central Frontenac Council. Mayor Janet Gutowski, Councilor Frances Smith, and CFRHS President and Vice-president Sally Angle and Gary Giller were present at the dedication.

Bill Morton served as an RCAF pilot during WW 2 and joined the Sharbot Lake & District Lions in 1990, shortly after moving to the area. During his 25 years as a Lions member he served as club treasurer and was also named Lion of the Year. Active in the club’s vision screening program, Bill also visited local grade one classrooms to demonstrate to students Canadian pride. After his 90th birthday Bill submitted a letter of resignation to the club as he felt he could no longer properly fulfill his duties as a Lion. However, Lions president Bill Pyle said that the club members “respectfully declined Bill's request”, and instead decided to make him an honorary lifetime member of the club. Though Bill no longer attends meetings, Pyle said that he “continues to serve as an inspiration to us all as he instills in us the will to continue to serve to the best of our abilities”.

Morton is now 94 years old, and when Ron Hollywood unveiled the plaque and presented it to him, he was visibly moved. After the ceremony he said he was overwhelmed by the honour. “It was a pleasure to be a Lion and I just wanted to help out in the community as best I could.”

Bill's daughter Joyce Bigelow was in attendance at the event and said that both her father and her mother instilled in their children and other members of the family the desire to serve the community. The beautiful crimson red maple along with the plaque will now permanently honor their service.