George F. Wilkinson
George F. Wilkinson is among that rare group of public officials who serve first as an elected official before becoming an appointed official in their community. Little did he or the community realize in the 1963 city commission election that his public service career would extend for more than 40 years. And, it is still continuing.
In 1963 George was elected as Street Commissioner under the three-member City Commission form of government in Weatherford. He served for five years, including holding the office of vice mayor. When the City adopted a strong mayor charter form of government in 1968 George was hired as the City Administrator to work with Mayor Dean Rader. He held that post continuously for 30 years until his retirement in 1998. But, that did not end his service to municipal government. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund since 1982 and as the board Chairman since 1996. Many of you probably saw him manning the OMRF booth during the conference.
In honor of his tenure and contributions, the Weatherford City Council has named a meeting room at the Weatherford City Hall as the Wilkinson Room.
Wilkinson has served on the Boards of Directors for the Oklahoma Municipal League, the Southwestern Oklahoma Development Authority, the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, including three terms as President, and the Weatherford Lions Club. He is a recipient of the Don Rider Award from OML and has been inducted into the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame and the Cushing High School Alumni Hall of Fame. He has also served as a member of the Advisory Board for the O.S.U. Center for Local Government Technology and on the Water and Sewer Certification Board for the state Department of Health. He also served his country in both World War II and Korea.
While retired from his position with Weatherford, this effervescent 80-year-old remains quite active in other endeavors, including his passion for entertainment. He performed for many years as an auxiliary percussionist with the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Jazz "C" ensemble and as a drummer for the Byron Berline Band. He emcees Berline Band performances twice a month at the Music Hall in Guthrie and is also the substitute drummer for them. He continues to operate the Rena Kays clothing store in Weatherford that he has owned for more than 30 years.