DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Macon County Board honored the life and legacy of former official Bill Oliver.
Oliver was the first Black man elected to the Decatur City Council and spent decades serving the community. Many city officials said Oliver embodied integrity.
"He will be remembered as a devoted family member, respected colleague, trusted friend and valued community member whose character and kindness made a lasting impact," one city official said.
Even though Oliver is no longer here, he leaves behind a positive influence for younger generations to follow.
"They need to know they can follow in the footsteps of a great man and a great leader, and they need to strive for that same integrity," longtime friend Thomas Walker said.
As the first Black man to serve on the Decatur City Council, Oliver helped break racial barriers for minorities.
"We dealt with racial injustice, and he showed we can be different. We can strive to be better people," Walker said.
As a councilman, Oliver pushed to rename Broadway to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Resident James Taylor fought for the change alongside Oliver.
"Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is Martin Luther King Jr. Drive because of myself and Bill Oliver. It took us four and a half years to make this change, but we never gave up," Taylor said.
When the county board presented an honorary proclamation to Oliver’s family, they said they were filled with gratitude.
"We loved him and we still love him, and we thank God we were a part of his life — and that you're acknowledging he was a person of love and integrity, because he loved Decatur," Oliver’s sister said.
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