Published: July 10, 2009 11:32 am      

Habitat dedicates trailer to Wickersham

A group of Gainesville Area Habitat for Humanity board members and volunteers along with the future owners of Habitat’s latest house met Friday on East Pecan Street to dedicate a utility trailer to longtime Habitat volunteer, Bob Wickersham.

Wickerson, who died of cancer last February, was an accomplished carpenter and a tireless volunteer for the organization which helps families secure a interest-free mortgages for new homes, Habitat director Molly Worthen said.

After his passing, donations to Habitat and Gainesville’s First United Methodist Church began accumulating in Wickersham’s name.

His wife, Marilyn, said Bob’s survivors hoped to help others with the memorial funds.

“We wanted to do something to honor Bob. At the same time, we wanted to continue the work that Bob did,” said Marilyn Wickersham.

The answer was a new utility trailer for Habitat for Humanity.

The old trailer was dilapidated, Marilyn Wickersham said.

The new trailer is completely refurbished and freshly painted with the Habitat for Humanity logo and Bob’s name.

Board president Ron Dedoes and members Monte Lacy and Whit Williams outfitted the trailer with shelves and storage compartments.

During a brief dedication ceremony which included songs of praise by the future owners of the home — Myrtle and Alfred Thomas — FUMC Pastor Don Yeager talked about Habitat’s mission.

“Bob introduced me to Habitat,” Yeager told the group. “Habitat for Humanity serves that most basic of human requirements — the need for shelter...With every nail and board, it is the Lord working through these folks,” he said.

Yeager said Bob Wickersham would have been pleased with the new trailer, but reluctant to accept any praise for it.

“Bob would probably have been embarrassed that it has his name on it,” Yeager said, smiling. “Bob did a lot of good things and didn’t take credit for them,” he said.

New homeowner Myrtle Thomas was jubilant about the prospect of helping complete and eventually moving into her new home.

“I thank Habitat for being so good to us and blessing us with this beautiful home. We will cherish it and take care of it always. And I’ll dedicate myself to helping Habitat in any way I can,” she said.

Above all, Thomas — standing near her newly-framed home — said the house and the dedication of Habitat volunteers reinforce her belief in God’s goodness.

“I want to thank God for this home, and I want him to bless it. Most of all, I want God to bless Habitat for their tremendous kindness,” she said.