Bebe Heiskell, former Walker County commissioner, dies

Contributed photo / Bebe Heiskell
Contributed photo / Bebe Heiskell

Bebe Heiskell, former Walker County sole commissioner, died Thursday. She was 81.

Heiskell worked for nearly four decades in public administration and served as sole commissioner of Walker County from 2001 to 2016.

In a memorial posting from Walker County, officials highlighted some of Heiskell's accomplishments while in office, including implementing a stormwater management initiative and adopting a building inspection program "to ensure the highest standards of life safety measures to protect citizens from contractors who might build less than adequate structures."

Heiskell was also responsible for funding the construction of several community centers, purchasing the Marsh House in LaFayette, protecting more than 20,000 acres of green space, establishing an employee health clinic and approving the construction of the current Walker County Animal Shelter.

In 2018, voters in Walker County overwhelmingly adopted a referendum asking for a switch in the type of government, by a vote of 16,824 to 4,080. Residents in the county, including prominent local Republicans, advocated for the change for several years, especially in the final years of Heiskell's tenure. The commission now has five members.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.

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