The City of Early hosted a retirement reception to thank Wayne Creel as he retired Friday after 13 years of service as Assistant City Manager. Friends, family and coworkers were present at the reception held at City Hall.
Creel stated that he is retiring to spend time with and enjoy his family.
“I guess I am doing it now while I can enjoy it. My daughter lives here in Early, her husband is a coach and coaches move around a lot,” said Creel. “The boys (grandsons) say we’re going fishing every day.”
“He’s going to get to enjoy life now,” said Wayne’s wife Peggy Creel with a smile.
“Peggy and I will probably take off somewhere, I don’t know where, but we’ll get out of ‘Dodge,’” said Creel. “When we get back, we’ll get back.”
Creel had worked 12 years at First City National Bank in Houston as an officer, and after his daughter Alicia was born, he didn’t want to raise her in a big city. His parents lived in Early, so they moved here in 1979. They still live in the same house.
He explained that his daughter went to the University of North Texas where she obtained her master’s degree. She met her husband Derrick Stacks and they eventually moved to Early when he was hired as a coach, currently the defensive coordinator, for the Brownwood Lions. Creel is surrounded by family, which he plans to thoroughly enjoy in his retirement, especially his three beautiful grandchildren.
Creel stated he will miss the city staff.
“I’m going to miss the people. We’ve seen a lot accomplished in the 13 years that I have been here. If you have a good city council, a good city manager and a good mayor, everything comes easier,” Creel said. “There have been some hard times, but I am really going to miss the people.”
Creel stated that there is little turn over at the City of Early.
“People come out here nearly every week, asking if we have any job openings, but nobody ever quits,” said Creel. “That’s a pretty good testament to the management, I think.”
He reminisced on the friendships and some practical jokes the staff has played on each other over the years. The latest of these was an office full of balloons today and sticky notes all over the place, according to Creel. He stated that he too has played plenty of practical jokes, during his time with the city.
A member of the Heartland Cruisers and a classic car enthusiast, Creel was honored with a custom made commemorative clock equipped with an image of his own car (1965 GTO) and actual engine pistons, presented by the Heartland Cruisers.
Pictured above are Wayne and Peggy Creel. Below is Creel standing by the commemorative clock with Paul Peck of Heartland Cruisers .
