SHERBURNE – The Sherburne Historic Park Society invites you to share our Eighth Annual Citizen of the Year Award, which will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the American Legion on South Main Street in Sherburne.

This year the society is especially pleased to honor Bill E. Hodges, a well-known, about-town man, who has been active in nearly every organization in Sherburne over the years. These include, first and foremost The Sherburne Fire Department and Ambulance Crew/ Emergency Squad – he probably came to your house to help someone in need when called – Lions Club, Little League, the Boy Scouts, and of course the Sherburne American Legion, where he has been ‘in the front lines’ as an officer, doing anything he was asked. He was a member of the Legion Sponsored Sherburne Blue Sentinentals Drill Team in the 1960’s, who traveled around in competition, losing out the chance to appear at the Orange Bowl by a mere .05 margin in 1961.

Bill went into the Army immediately after graduating from Sherburne High School. When he returned home after two years of service he continued his education at Broome Tech and Morrisville College to further his education in Electrical Engineering. Then he worked for NYSEG until he returned to Sherburne to work with his father Donald in the Hodges’ Department Store; eventually taking over after the devastating fire in 1974. When the store closed in 1985, Bill was then employed at Colgate until he retired.

“Bill Hodges is a great example of a leader in Sherburne during his lifetime and we are so proud to honor him on this occasion,” a society spokesperson said. “Please plan to attend and show your support.”