Former Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson dies

Roy Wilson, who recently ended a long career as a Riverside County supervisor because of illness, died Wednesday at his home. He was 74. Here is a copy of the news release from the county:

Supervisor Roy Wilson, whose long career as an educator and public servant earned respect and admiration far beyond the region he represented, passed away peacefully at his south Palm Desert home Wednesday evening surrounded by family and friends.

Colleagues and county staff were heartbroken by the news, which came less than a week after Supervisor Wilson abruptly announced that a sudden decline in health had forced him to step down from the Board of Supervisors. Details regarding services are pending, and no information about the cause of Supervisor Wilson’s passing was available Wednesday.

Supervisor Wilson’s family thanked the entire community for its outpouring of support and affection since his resignation.  Supervisor Wilson, as most know, was a very private person.  It was his request that the media and public respect the family's privacy during this period.

In a letter to all Riverside County residents Friday, Supervisor Wilson announced his resignation and thanked residents who had supported his efforts and put their faith in his leadership.

“My years as your supervisor have been wonderful years for me, both professionally and personally,” Supervisor Wilson, 74, said in the letter. “I am grateful for the continuing support and trust that you, the voters, have given me all these years. I extend sincere thanks to my wife, family, friends and colleagues who have guided and supported my efforts for the Fourth District. Especially, I thank my incredible staff. Their energy, commitment and competence have been the key to the success of my service to you.”

During his tenure on the Board, Supervisor Wilson championed issues ranging from the environment to public safety. His support was pivotal in the adoption of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Along with other Board members, he held public safety as the county’s top priority.

Supervisor Wilson helped lead the way in developing highway improvements that became vital as the Coachella Valley burgeoned into a suburban and resort community. He fought tirelessly for poor residents and to ensure that migrant farmworkers had decent living conditions. He also pushed plans that led to numerous new sheriff’s and fire stations, libraries and community centers.

By law, the governor must name a replacement to fill the remainder of Supervisor Wilson’s term, which runs through 2010. In his resignation letter, Supervisor Wilson recommended that state Sen. John Benoit be named to the post and asked the community to echo that endorsement.

Supervisor Wilson was first elected to represent the 4th District in 1994 and was reelected to a fourth term in 2006. The district is the county’s largest, stretching from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea, and east to the California/Arizona border.

Before becoming a supervisor, Wilson spent more than 33 years as an administrator and professor at California State University, Stanislaus (six years) and College of the Desert (27-plus years). While at College of the Desert, he served for more than 20 years in municipal government as a planning commissioner and a City Council member in Palm Desert. He served four terms as the city’s mayor.

His other service includes 22 years as a governing board member for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, 24 years on the Riverside County Transportation Commission and 14 years on the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.

In addition to civic duties, Wilson has been active in professional journalism organizations, his teaching specialty. He has served as president of the California/Arizona Journalism Association of Community Colleges and president of the national Community College Journalism Association.  In 1995, Wilson was inducted into the Community College Journalism Association's Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.  He is the author of a textbook used throughout the United States and in Canada.

Source: Los Angeles Times
August 26, 2009

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