News

Lapsley 'honored and humbled' to receive high honor from his alma mater

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 2, 2024

Henderson County Commissioner William G. "Bill" Lapsley was honored by the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Physical Sciences with the 2024 Distinguished Engineer Award at the college’s awards banquet on Saturday.

A 1970 civil engineering graduate of the university, Lapsley began his 54-year career as a junior engineer at the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. After the record-breaking earthquake in 1971, he was selected by the district’s chief engineer to join a team of engineers to investigate the stability of the district’s 14 large flood-control dams.

In 1973 he obtained his professional engineer’s license then moved with his family to Hendersonville a year later to join the Hendersonville Water and Sewer Department as the director. He founded his own firm, William G. Lapsley & Associates, in 1985. The firm became a prominent engineering consultant for local government, private land developers and industrial clients throughout Western North Carolina. After selling the business in 2014, Lapsley was elected to the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, where he's serving his third term.

“I am indeed honored and humbled to receive this achievement award from my alma mater," Lapsley told the audience in Laramie, Wyoming, on Saturday night. "To be selected is a tribute to the professors and staff that afforded me the educational opportunities over 58 years ago to excel in my chosen profession.”