Unsung hero Leith Wilson named Citizen of the Year by Selma Rotary Club

Boy Scout leader Leith Wilson was honored by the Selma Rotary Club on Monday as the 2024 Citizen of the Year for his more than three decades of work with children and adults in Dallas, Perry and Wilcox counties through the scouting program. 

Wilson, senior district executive for the Crane district of Boy Scouts of America, was surprised with the honor during the June 10 club meeting at Cornerstone Presbyterian. His wife, Tammy, and scouting friends attended to share stories about how Wilson has impacted their lives and thousands of others’ through his leadership of school programs, scouting events, fundraisers and more. 

“Leith Wilson is a huge asset for us here in Dallas County,” longtime scout and now scout master Allen Bearden told the crowd. “He has a calling for the Cub Scouts and has been quietly grinding away and getting it done every day.” 

Wilson joined the Boy Scouts in December 1991, when Bearden, who is now a Selma City Schools teacher, was a teen. He recalled learning a lot from Wilson on the annual scout trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico that has served as a rite of passage for scouts for decades. His teen son, Jack, now goes on the trip every summer. 

Allen’s father, James Bearden, said as a parent, Wilson has been a blessing for the district. 

As a Rotarian and former Scout father, Bob Kelley said Wilson deserves the award because he exemplifies the club’s four-way test: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned.” 

Wilson joined Rotary in the early 1990s and has served as sergeant at arms ever since, but being a Rotarian isn’t a requirement for the Citizen of the Year award. In fact, most past winners are not in the club. 

The Rotary Club of Selma had not given out the Citizen of the Year award since before COVID. The last winner was Randall Miller in 2019. Citizen of the Year is awarded through nominations from club members and a board vote. 

Selma attorney and longtime Rotarian Bill Gamble, who chaired this year’s committee, said when the club call for nominations was made in the spring, the first nomination came from Wilson, who didn’t know he would end up winning it through being nominated by others. 

On Monday, Gamble told Wilson that the club appreciates his three decades of quiet service to the club and the community. 

“It’s not always the loudest who are honored,” he added. “People who do the work exemplify our Citizen of the Year.”  

In a short acceptance speech, Wilson seemed stunned, saying he is “humbly overwhelmed” and “blown away” by the recognition. 

“I love our club, our community and the people and being able to work together in our community for the betterment of our youth and others,” Wilson said. 

Longtime friend and scout colleague Dan Lane noted that Wilson is a deacon and very involved at Elkdale Baptist Church, where he is a dedicated helper at VBS every year. As a scout leader, Lane figures Wilson has spent a decade of his life “in the woods” with troops.  

“We’re glad Selma has you,” Lane said.