Zach D. Taylor

The Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials encourages an appreciation for the heritage of municipal officials who have dedicated at least a portion of their professional career to the advancement of municipal government.
The next Inductee has served in city management and Councils of Government positions in both Oklahoma and Oregon. However, he is being honored principally for his work in advancing municipal government through his more than 20 years as Executive Director of the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments.

TMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202001

William A. Moyer

What is there to say about Bill Moyer that most of you don't already know? But more importantly, what is there about nearly every city or town in Oklahoma that Bill doesn't know? If he hasn't been to every city or town hall in this State, then I suspect your city or town doesn't have a permanent office! But, if you have a restaurant in your city or town, he's probably eaten there.

MMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202001

Robert J. Hicks

A law-enforcement career spanning more than 38 years, three cities and one state agency, has brought about a strong commitment in Oklahoma to professionalism and enhanced agency cooperation in all sectors of the criminal justice system. In 1963, as a rookie patrolman on the Oklahoma City Police Department and throughout his career as a Police Chief, Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and head of a corporate investigative service, Robert Hicks has been a catalyst for professionalism and cooperation in law enforcement.

HMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202001

Patience Sewell Latting

Smart, sharp, savvy, spirited, and service-oriented. These words and just about every positive
adjective one can imagine describe the woman behind the municipal government legacy of Patience Latting.
This humble lady from Texhoma blazed a path in public service for women and minorities throughout the country as she dedicated her considerable talents and energy to "the public good." Whether it was applying her graduate degree to redistricting the Oklahoma Legislature after the 1960 census, or as an active member of the Parent-Teacher Association, Patience Latting used her gentleness and unflinching resolve for "the public good."

LMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202001

Leon E. Nelson

Leon Nelson has been a mentor to many young people who launched successful local government careers under his tutelage. It is not surprising then that he credits educator/banker Dr. Eugene Swearingen and Gerald Wilkins, then City Manager of Enid, as the inspirations for his career in City Management. In 1957, as Dean of the College of Business at Oklahoma A&M, Swearingen encouraged Leon to apply for a summer internship with the legendary Wilkins. A year later he became Assistant City Manager at Ponca City and then was City Manager there from May 1959 until May of 1978.

NMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202001

Dr. Charles Spencer

Thousands of dedicated Oklahoman's have helped to build the 589 great hometowns in our state over the past century. The Hall of Fame Foundation Board early realized that one of their most difficult tasks would be to determine whether to induct some of these municipal officials posthumously. For this first induction, Dr. Charles F. Spencer is deemed to be a person deserving such recognition, even though he passed away in 1989. Dr. Spencer is perhaps best recognized for his over 23 years as President of East Central State University in Ada. He graduated from East Central in 1928 and then received his Master's degree the next year from OU.

SMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202001