Volunteer of the Year

Euless is very fortunate to have a dedicated, vigilant group of citizens in our community. Volunteers assist the City in a variety of ways, often working long hours without pay or recognition for the benefit of Euless. In turn, the City chooses one person each year to celebrate the dedication and service of these outstanding people and the difference they have made in the community.

Each year the decision becomes increasingly difficult as our volunteer base expands and more and more nominations arrive daily. This year the Volunteer of the Year Committee, consisting of Euless residents, reviewed
over 60 nominations and had the daunting task of reducing that number down to one.

It isn't often you attend a City function, whether it be the Texas Trash- Off, City Council meetings or the Arbor Daze festival, where you wouldn't see Billy Owens. As a former City Council member, Billy has a devotion for the City of Euless that is beyond reproach.

Billy has lived in Euless since 1957, and from the beginning, he has been involved with the City in one way or another. He served on City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Parks and Leisure Services Board, Zoning Board of Adjustments and the Charter Review Committee. In addition, he served countless hours at Arbor Daze and is President of the Euless chapter of AARP.

The Business of the Year is yet another Euless staple that has been involved with the community for many years. North Main BBQ is not only an institution in Euless, but nationwide. They continually give back to the community through a variety of methods. North Main BBQ hosts dinners annually for seniors in Euless and participates in
fundraisers for various causes. Three separate honorable mentions were awarded in the Business of the Year category to Chick-fil-A, Dr. Gayla Maas and Starbucks. All three have been very involved in several special events in Euless. Chick-Fil-A is a corporate citizen that participates heavily in special events the City hosts. They have donated their time and energy at the Euless Bicycle Rodeo, as well as the Halloween Thing. They consistently work with the city to provide for the volunteers and children in the community, both at special events and fundraisers.

Dr. Gayla Maas is a licensed veterinarian who has volunteered her services at the last seven Dog Daze events held at the Animal Shelter.She provides at-cost immunizations for animals belonging to Euless residents. She has served on the Animal Shelter Advisory Board for seven years, is a resident of Euless and a graduate of Trinity High School.

Starbucks has received the Business and Volunteer Organization of the Month award from the Parks &
Community Services department for their volunteerism, landscaping and beautification efforts at their store. In
addition, they have provided coffee to volunteers and are participating in the Adopt-A-Park program, by helping to
lay crushed limestone for trails at the Preserve at McCormick Park.

The newest category in the Volunteer of the Year awards is the Lifetime Achievement Award. This is given to the person or persons in Euless that have given of their time, money and efforts to the City of Euless. This year, the Lifetime Achievement Award has been given to Bill and Boyce Byers. Continuing on the theme of Euless institutions, they have been in Euless for decades. Born in Euless, Bill has lived here all of his life, with the exception of a year in the Military spent in Japan. Boyce moved to Euless from Kilgore while she was in high school, which is where the two met.

Both graduated from what was then Euless Independent School District and were married after Bill graduated high
school. Bill, who is known to many as a problem solver after his year abroad, began his career with Great
Southwest Airport but then started his own electrical company. This began his relationship with Dave Hawes,
former owner of the Euless Lumber Company. Bill worked with him for many years and eventually came to own the
Lumber Company until 1998. Boyce, who was also called"Red" not only for her hair color, but also for her
personality, worked at Euless Junior High school and then alongside Bill when he came to own the Euless Lumber
Company.

Between the two of them, they have volunteered with nearly every facet of the Euless community. They have
served on the City Council, HEB ISD School Board, Harris Methodist HEB Hospital Board, Charter Review
Committee, Half-Cent Sales Tax Education Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Hospital Authority,
Economic Development Advisory Board, Parks and Leisure Services Board and the Euless Library Foundation. They have volunteered their time with many events including Arbor Daze and Texas Star tournaments. In addition, they are longtime members of the First United Methodist Church of Euless. Married over 60 years, they have raised three sons (two of which have worked for the City of Euless), nine grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
Our congratulations go out to all of this year's winners. We couldn't make Euless what it is today
without your assistance and dedication and for that, you have our eternal gratitude.