William W. Pickrum

William Wilbur Pickrum went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 15, 2021, with his loving wife and daughter by his side. William was a native of Kent County, Maryland, born to the late Willis and Emma Pickrum. William and his brothers, Marvin and Donald, worked with their parents, who were the caretakers and cooks at the YMCA Camp Tockwogh, in Worton, Maryland, responsible for feeding the hundreds of campers. William's father passed when he was 12, but his mother continued to cook for the Camp for a total of 33 years. After all of these years, the kitchen is still named after his mom – Miss Pick's Kitchen. A graduate of Coleman Elementary School and the Henry Highland Garnet High School in Chestertown, MD, William was very active in school, being a member of the Library Club, Basketball Team, Track Team, National Honor Society, Garnett Whispers (School Newspaper), Future Teachers of America, Safety Patrol, the School Chorus and the Concert Band where he played the trumpet. William was always a scholar and received numerous awards while in secondary school and throughout his life. William was the third African American selected to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy and was the only one in his class. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the Academy in 1970. He received a Master of Arts from Chapman College and studied for his Doctor of Public Administration at New York University as a Ph.D. candidate. William had a distinguished decorated career for over 22 years as an officer in the United States Coast Guard, with duties including Program Analyst, Chief of the Search and Rescue Branch, Operations Officer, Pilot/Supply Officer, National Search and Rescue School Instructor and Pilot/Administration Officer. He was the first African Americans to earn his aviation wings from the United States Coast Guard Academy. William received several Commendations during his career for saving lives in perilous/dangerous conditions on land and at sea. After retirement, William was a First Officer Pilot for Florida Gulf Airlines, Inc., a commuter airline serving the U.S. Airways system. While working for U.S. Airways, William and his wife started two small businesses, one to provide management consulting services to the Federal Government and the other to launch a franchise with locations on each of theVirgin Islands. After years of operations, the Pickrums decided to return to Kent County to care for his mother. Upon returning, William felt the County could be more progressive and decided to run for office. The first time running for office, William was the top vote-getter and was elected to the Kent County Board of County Commissioners in 2002. He often stated that God brought him a campaign committee, led by James Saunders, that set a standard in the County. As the only elected Democrat of the three-person Commission, his leadership abilities were clear, and the two Republican members elected William as the Commission President. William served for 16 years on the Kent County Commission with two of the four terms as President. Many marveled at his life trajectory of being born during segregation to caretakers, of a racially divided county, and becoming the Commission's President. William loved serving the people of the Delmarva Region and was elected and volunteered to serve on the following entities: Member, Airport Advisory Committee 2002-06; Central Communications Commission 2002-06; Local Emergency Planning Committee 2002-06; Local Management Board for Children and Family Services 2002-06; Board of License Commissioners 2002-18; Board of Health 2002-18; Parks and Recreation Advisory Board 2006-18. Member, Maryland Rural Broadband Coordination Board, 2006-10. Board of Directors, Upper Shore Aging, 2006-18. Member, Service Academy Selection Committee, 2009-21 for U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and her predecessor Senator Chris Van Hollen. Treasurer, Upper Shore Regional Council, 2018 (member, 2002-18; chair, 2006; 3rd vice-chair, 2009; 2nd vice-chair, 2010; 1st vice-chair, 2010-11; chair, 2011-17). Appointed to the State of Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission by Governor Larry Hogan. Member, National Naval Officers Association, NAACP, Kent County Democratic Central Committee, United States Coast Guard Academy Alumni Assoc. and Henry Highland Garnet Alumni. William had double duty, also serving as acting County Administrator of Kent County in 2015. During his terms as a County Commissioner, William was hired as the Deputy Director, Government Support Services, State of Delaware Office of Management and Budget. He served in this capacity for seven years and then was hired to be the founding Project Manager for the newly formed Renewable Energy and Education Center at Delaware State University. In addition, he taught political science courses in the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences as an Adjunct Professor. William landed on his passion as an Adjunct Professor in the Delaware State University Aviation program. William loved teaching and inspiring young minds to believe in themselves and to think "outside of the box." In addition to his work life, William was active in his church. As a member of Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church in Worton, Maryland, he served on the Married Couples Ministry, Stewardship and Finance Committee, Culinary Arts Committee and was a member of the Mighty Men and the Lay Organization. As a result of his service, one year, William was elected Man of the Year at the Baltimore Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Conference. His favorite role in the church was working in the kitchen, a remembrance of his days as a youth helping his parents and brothers at the camp. William loved his family, and became the family historian, researching the family trees of his and his wife's families. He was most proud of his brothers, Marvin and Donald, for their achievements in life and would speak with pride any time someone would ask about them and beam when asked about his children and grandchildren. William was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Emma Mae Pickrum; brother, Donald Pickrum (Gladys); uncles and aunts; and a very close friend from the 3rd grade, Dolson Anderson (Lynda). William is survived by his loving dedicated wife of 28 years, Dr. Vita Threatt Pickrum; two children, Gena Ford (Brandon) Bowie, Maryland and Martin Pickrum, Las Vegas, Nevada; three grandchildren, Gabrielle, Brandon “B.J.” and Ilana; one brother, Dr. Harvey Marvin Pickrum (Rose); three sisters-in-law, Joyce Threatt Wiley, Laverna Williams and Sonja King, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two brothers-in-law, David Threatt, Mitchellville, Maryland and Maurice Threatt, Atlanta, Georgia; one uncle, Robert Bayless (Elaine), and a host of cousins and dear friends. In recognition of his life's work, the Commissioners of Kent County, Maryland, have designated April 30, 2021, as William W. Pickrum Day with all flags in the County lowered in recognition of his passing. Also, the family has established the William W. Pickrum Endowed Scholarship at Delaware State University for matriculating students. Finally, the William W. Pickrum Leadership Scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating senior from Kent County High School in Kent County, Maryland

William W. Pickrum

January 8, 1948 - April 15, 2021