From 1970 to 1985, Early’s population increased by 110%. In 1982 the current City Hall was built and in 1985, the post office was built. That’s the year that Wade Walker was hired as a full-time employee with the water department at 19 years old.
“Thirty-five years is a long time to dedicate yourself to a job and we are thankful that Wade Walker has chosen to dedicate his 35 years to the City of Early.” said City Administrator Tony Aaron.
Recently Wade Walker was honored for 35 years of service which he reached in 2020. However, due to COVID there was not a ceremony or event where he could be publicly recognized for his many years of service. On December 9th of 2021, Wade was recognized for his service at a city-wide Christmas party.
When Wade was hired, the City of Early was a young 34 years old. Meaning he has now worked here longer than how old the town was when he got here.
“It feels like yesterday. It just doesn’t seem like it was that long ago. I had no intentions of even staying when I started.” said Wade Walker.
He says that he has seen several different people in administration, on City Council, in the mayor’s seat, yet the town has always kept its mindset of growing and providing a hometown feeling for its citizens.
“Things have definitely progressed from when I started. We basically started out with nothing, 35 years ago and now it’s totally different, it’s first class. Back then we worked with whatever we could find to work with and now it’s just evolved from nothing to what it is today.” said Wade.
Not long after Wade was hired by the city, the water treatment plant on Hillcrest was built. Wade was here to watch the treatment plant be built, go into service and then go out of service in 2015.
“I was here for its entire life-span and ran it the whole time.” said Wade.
Everyone at the City of Early is very thankful for everything that Wade has done for the city and the many years of his expertise that he provides in many situations.
“If there’s an issue, there’s a high likelihood that Wade has had to fix it in the past. He can tell you exactly where every water line is located without looking it up. He is a great asset to the city and we couldn’t be more honored or thankful for his many years of service.” said Tony Aaron.
Not only is Tony Aaron and everyone else at the city thankful for Wade, but Wade is just as thankful for the city.
“If I didn’t have this job, I don’t know what else I would have done. I just fell in love with what I was doing so I stayed and I’m very thankful for this job.” said Wade Walker.