Bill Lear, an employee and director for Macon Electric Cooperative, Macon, was honored with the A.C. Burrows Award by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC) at the organization’s annual meeting Oct. 1 in Branson.

The purpose of the award is to recognize directors and employees of electric cooperatives for outstanding service to their cooperative, community and service areas. Those who received the award were selected because of their leadership above and beyond the call of duty to strengthen and improve the economic and social conditions in their areas.

Bill served as an employee of Macon Electric Cooperative for 39 years. Taking a short time off, Bill re-joined Macon Electric on the other side as a member of the Board of Directors. Bill has and always will have a true passion for assisting the members within the co-op’s service territory. Outside of his professional career, you can find Bill playing music at the Wilcox Country Opry Barn, local nursing homes and community fairs. He also enjoys serving as master of ceremonies at local events and spending time with his family.

The award is named for the late Audrian Cleon Burrows of Van Buren, Mo., who rose through the ranks to become general manager of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, the statewide service organization for Missouri’s 48 electric cooperatives. Burrows served in this position from 1968 to 1976. He was recognized as an outstanding leader in rural electrification and as a distinguished individual who dedicated his life to helping others.

The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Jefferson City, is the statewide service organization for Missouri’s electric cooperatives.