By Maggie DiGiovanni
Elmore/Autauga News
Percy Gill, a son of Wetumpka and the River Region, was honored and memorialized Nov.5, as the Wetumpka Splash Pad was dedicated in his honor. Family, friends and government officials gathered at the Splash Pad to pay tribute to the political leader, community servant and friend.
While Gill passed away in 2019, his life was full of service to his country, his family and his community. He was the first one to suggest the idea of a Splash Pad for the community.
Percy grew up in Wetumpka and, after graduation, enlisted in the U.S. Army, last stationed at Ft. Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division – air assault. After leaving the Army, Gill enrolled in the University of Alabama where he obtained a degree in management with a concentration in marking. He also was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, something to which he was very dedicated as well.
Gill lived for a period of time in Atlanta but then returned home to Wetumpka where he was a businessman and real estate developer. His public service included: project manager for the 50th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott; steering committee for Leadership Elmore County and graduate of the inaugural class; helped with the creation of Elmore County Economic Development Authority; and former board member of Elmore County Community Foundation and City of Wetumpka Industrial Development Board.
Two of his proudest accomplishments were being a part of the community efforts that established the name of the Wetumpka Rec Center to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Multicultural Center and helping to establish the first Boys & Girls Club in Wetumpka.
Gill served one term on the Wetumpka City Council District 2. While serving as council he always envisioned a slash pad for the Wetumpka community youth to have in the area. Gill was the one who brought it to the attention of the City to begin the process.
City officials said it was only right to dedicate the facility in Gill’s memory, but bittersweet that he died young, and didn’t get to see it become reality.
Speaking with those who knew the Gill, a picture formed of a giving man, a determined man and a loving man.
Family friend Bernard Smith’s fondest memory of Gill came about in Germany, where he resided for seven years before getting a call from Percy Gill’s mother, Idel Gill. As a member of the military, Percy was being transferred to Germany. Idel asked Bernard if he could possibly meet her son when he arrived?
Bernard laughed when he told how he and his wife met Percy at the train station during a huge snowstorm. The men got the luggage in the car and headed for Bernard’s home only to have the car break down. Waving down another car, Bernard went to get his van to rescue everyone. As it turned out, the first car just needed a rest and started up again. Bernard’s wife and Percy arrived home before he did.
Kenny Marshall finished school with Idel Gill. He said when he heard about Percy, it was always something more about what he was doing for the community or helping someone else in need.
Percy Gill’s second cousin, Lamar Smith, said his memories were of Percy encouraging young people to get involved in improving their communities.
Billie Rawls is curator for the Black History Museum where a sign outside touts the Martin Luther King Jr. Multi-Cultural Center. Her son and another young man, who were friends with Percy, formed a dedicated friendship of Percy, Ryan and Lamar. When they became adults, the three participated in each other’s weddings. Even when living in other states, the three came together for reunions. She remembered Percy as a deeply religious man, who often talked to his pastor about problems.
Victoria Smith, classmate and neighbor, remembered telling Percy about a week before his death to slow down. But that was not in his nature. When a tornado struck about that time, Percy brought blankets to people needing them, especially senior citizens.
Yanesha Mitchell, his sister, spoke highly of her brother.
“He embraced entrepreneurship and activism. We, his family want to continue his work by advocating for positive change, creating opportunities for the people in our communities and supporting the needs of the community. He left me, my sister, my niece, and our mother behind. We are trying to follow his legacy.”
An impressive roster from the Town of Wetumpka and the City of Montgomery lauded the man, and his accomplishments before unveiling the plaque to honor him. Speaking were Mayor Jerry Willis of Wetumpka; Pastor Jonathan Yarbrough; Pastor Cheryl Coprich; Councilwoman Cheryl Tucker; Mayor Steven Reed of Montgomery; Dr. Quinton T. Ross, President, Alabama State University; and Rev. Claude Shuford.
Elmore County Commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson said her brother Circuit Judge Bill Lewis worked closely with Percy. With the help of Percy’s influence, she said she was inspired to vote and to get involved in uniting people. That inspiration also continued when she ran for Elmore County Commission.
The Wetumpka Splash Pad officially opened June 13th of this year with much excitement and has been wildly popular to the community.
