Group Recognizes Two Outstanding Seniors

Wilma Ash and Bill Agler receive San Martin Woman and Man of the
Year awards
San Martin – Seniors Wilma Ash and Bill Agler are no ordinary citizens. During their lifetimes, they have not only enriched the lives of San Martin’s youth, they have also kept community spirit alive.

Members of the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance have selected Ash as Senior Woman of the Year and Agler as Senior Man of the Year for their service to the community.

The two were honored during the group’s annual Spaghetti Social Saturday at the San Martin Lions Club. Other “Old-Timers” were also recognized.

Ash moved to San Martin in January 1960 from San Jose.

“I’m happy to be able to do whatever I can,” she said of her years of involvement in San Martin 4-H Youth Development Organization and other programs.

For 44 years, Ash has been a San Martin 4-H leader helping others with projects involving rabbits, home food preservation, sewing and photography. She said she is still lending her expertise in sewing and home decorating.

A retired school nurse, Ash continued her service to the community as a volunteer at Wheeler Hospital in Gilroy and with the Headstart Program.

“I like to help the kids, and I really look forward each time to working with them,” she said. 

She likes to stay active, she said, and reaching out to her community, she said, is a good way to do that.

Agler, a World War II veteran, has been active in the community for many years. He retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and he became involved with many local groups, including the Elks, the Morgan Hill Grange, the Morgan Hill Unified School District and the Santa Clara County Health and Welfare Commission.

The day of the Spaghetti Social was coincidentally Agler’s 90th birthday. He said all of the Aglers, except his two brothers, attended the event.

“Three came from Seattle, my son and his wife came from Idaho and my granddaughter and her friend came from L.A.,” he said. 

After 62 years of marriage, Agler’s wife died more than two years ago, he said. He’s been spending his time helping others, but that started long before he became a widower.

He was one of the original trustees when the Morgan Hill Unified School District was formed, and he was on the Wheeler Hospital board of directors, then the South Valley Hospital board of directors until it was purchased by Saint Louise Regional Hospital, he said. 

The local fire department also benefited from his guidance. When it was Morgan Hill Rural Fire District, then when it merged with Gilroy to become the South Santa Clara County Fire Department, he was a part of the committee, which he said was similar to a board of directors, that served as an oversight committee for the budget. 

SMNA President Sylvia Hamilton said the event’s silent auction and raffle, with $8 ticket prices, will not raise a lot of money, possibly $3,000.

“It’s about all getting together to enjoy each other’s company and to honor those who have supported our community,” she said.