BULLARD —  Bullard officials laughed and cried as they honored outstanding citizens at their annual banquet Monday night.

Outgoing Bullard chamber president Jay Abercrombie joked about the history of the school's football team before honoring head football coach Shannon Wilson as the man of the year.

“It's no secret that Bullard High School's football team program has not been successful in recent memory,” Abercrombie said. “The last playoff appearance was almost 20 years ago ... I've never seen as many Bullard people gather in one location as I did in Carthage and Athens, Texas for those playoff games.”

Abercrombie said Wilson's leadership, work ethic and character set him apart. Wilson said he feels like he got the award on behalf of his team and coaching staff.

“We have a great staff, and I got the award for them working very hard, to be honest with you,” Wilson said.

Abercrombie got misty-eyed as he announced the woman of the year award belonged to Nanette “Momma” Moss for her role as the Bullard Athletic Booster Club's president.

“She serves as an encourager for many youth in our community and will redirect them as needed and loves them as her own,” Abercrombie said holding back tears. “She serves as a second mom to many of these senior boys, and they call her Momma Moss.”

“I feel like my preacher,” Abercrombie said. “He cries every time he preaches. That's how you know you have had an impact on their lives.”

Moss was also tearing up as she accepted the award.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for sharing your kids with me, because the kids are what it's all about in Bullard, Texas, and in my heart,” Moss said. “Thank you all.”

The business of the year award went to Allied Waste and Republic Services.

“This business has given more back to the Bullard community than most people realize,” Abercrombie said. “Anytime they are approached for help of any kind, they jump in and serve.”

The member of the year award went to Robyn Capps for her role in helping make chamber events a reality.

“I know just like us she doesn't have the time to volunteer for the hours needed, but she somehow manages to find the time,” he said.

The Cecil Harper Humanitarian Award, given in honor of a Bullard citizen, was given to Mark Maple for his role with youth through Boy Scouts and the Mission House.

“It is impossible to measure the effect this one gentleman has had on the kingdom and our community because of his self-sacrifice,” Abercrombie said.

As a tradition, the outgoing president presents a president's award to an outstanding citizen of his choosing. This year, two were given out.

Chamber member David Fritsche was chosen for his dedication in helping organize events.

“Not only was he in charge of food vendors (at the Red, White and Blue Festival) and dealing with the health department, he took on a role of trying to negotiate a contract with the carnival, which in an interesting exercise to say the least,” Abercrombie said.

“He has helped with both parades this year, and even got to achieve his lifelong goal of wearing a neon colored police vest,” he said.

Bullard Utilities Director David Hortman also received a president's award for his help during chamber events.

“With his leadership and knowledge of downtown's utilities he becomes someone in great demand at festival time he, and his crew stepped up in filling numerous roles when we didn't have the volunteer power to make things happen,” Abercrombie said.

Abercrombie said he was glad Hortman made it to the banquet because he was busy repairing a water leak in the city.

“I hope the leak is fixed,” Abercrombie joked. “It's still leaking, I got waterworks up here, but I don't think you can fix that.”

Before the banquet was finished, Abercrombie passed the gravel to the new president John Beasley, who gave Abercrombie a plaque.

“This is not just a meeting of business people, this is a family reunion of the city of Bullard,” Beasley said. “For the past year Jay Abercrombie has served as the president of that family and we want to give him this plaque and thank him for his service.”