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Each year the Black Mountain  Beautification Committee recognizes the member who shares the spirit of  Willie Headley, who passed away in 2012. 

The 2019 Willie Award, created in honor of its namesake, was presented to Tom Woerz on June 8.  Headley,  the wife of Dr. Robert Headley, was a Black Mountain native who worked  tirelessly for the betterment of Black Mountain, including an early  vision for Town Square. To honor Willie's contributions to the  community, the committee created an award featuring one of Willie’s many  trowels affixed to the plaque.

Woerz arrived in Black Mountain in 2006, two years year after his wife, Joyce Black-Woerz relocated here. Tom  was concluding his work with Mercer County (Pennsylvania), Area Agency  on Aging and the day of his retirement, his bags were packed and he was  ready for mountain living.

Joyce, an artist, became  involved with the Black Mountain Center for the Arts and the Black  Mountain Beautification Committee. Tom joined his wife in her work with  the beautification committee.

Since then  he's served three years as a co-chair for the committee, but it was for  his multiple behind-the-scenes contributions to the committee, that he  was chosen for the award.

For 13 of the 14 years of  the Garden Show and Sale, Tom has provided support in a number of ways.  From lining out the locations for each of the vendors, to helping  unload and loading back up the vendors, to serving as the treasurer for  the show, he's been integral to the success of the show.

When  the members of the committee had the idea of decorating the town for  fall, Tom created the famous Town Square spider that children and adults  alike look forward to at Halloween. During one rainy fall, Tom could be  seen working diligently under a tent to ensure that spider would make  its appearance on time.

With supervision from Dan  Howachyn, owner of Black Mountain Iron Works and the creator of the Town  Square fence, Tom and a group of volunteers whom he enlisted installed  the beautiful fence that outlines the Montreat Road side of Town Square.  Coincidentally, the fence borders the back of the Willie Garden at Town Square.

Members  of the Beautification Committee are expected to maintain garden sites  in the historic district of Black Mountain. Tom has maintained numerous  gardens in town; the Love parking lot, Howachyn Walk, the public  restrooms on Cherry St., and West Gate, among others.

Tom  assisted in the installation of the self-watering system in each of the  new containers around town. Tom, with some assistance, finished the  project by methodically leveling and installing an identification tag on  each container.  “I can always count on Tom," said  Suzanne Money, a member of the committee and coordinator for the Town  Square plantings. "Whenever he is asked to work on a project, I know he  will give it his best through to completion."   There are limitations, Money added.   “Don’t count on him on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday before 4 p.m. if the weather encourages golf," she said.  The beautification committee applauds Tom and is grateful for his generosity of time and many talents.