Concerned Friends of Willow Wild, a group dedicated to the improvement and preservation of the historic cemetery, officially voted Sunday, September 23, to form a new Willow Wild Cemetery Association.
In a separate vote, the new association appointed Cindy Baker Burnett, James Parker McComas and Charlotte Watson to an initial three-member board which will guide the group through a transition period of legal processes required by the State.
The initial board will create bylaws and name a nominating committee which will mount a search for a full nine-member board of directors. The new full board will be elected at a meeting expected to be held in two to three weeks. Both the Masons and the IOOF have indicated that they will take the necessary steps to transfer the cemetery to the new association.
The meeting, held at the Bonham Golf Club and led by attorney Bill Terry, was attended by 45-50 people, the majority of whom were plot holders, heirs, or descendants of plot holders. Both votes were unanimous. The first vote was placed in motion by Cathy Denton Taylor; the second by James Parker McComas.
Anyone interested in serving on the new unpaid, volunteer board is encouraged to message the 3 initial board members within the next 7 days. They may be reached through the Concerned Friends of Willow Wild Facebook internet page www.facebook.com/groups/239904162792975. Applicants should put in writing their qualifications and their vision for the future of Willow Wild. Those without internet access may contact the law office of Bill Terry.
There will also be ample volunteer opportunities as issues come into focus and committees are formed.
First Willow Wild Homecoming slated for Saturday, October 20
Cindy Baker Burnett opened the meeting with the announcement that the new association will partner with the city-wide Great Days of Service for its first cemetery clean-up day followed by the Willow Wild Cemetery Association inaugural homecoming. Volunteers will be asked to bring lawn tools, weed eaters, and so forth for a communal cleaning and trimming of the cemetery. Pecan-smoked brisket sandwiches will be provided by James Parker McComas, and volunteers are invited to bring side dishes and desserts.
Mrs. Baker Burnett mentioned that not only will this save contractor fees for end-of-summer clean-up, but will also help make Willow Wild a more pleasant, soothing place to visit.
More information on The Great Days of Service is available at http://www.gds-bonham.org/.