The El Paso County Historical Society is pleased to announce its selections for the 57th Hall of Honor. This year’s honorees are: Alex and Patti Apostolides, Former Mayor Don Henderson, James Peak, and Former Mayor Bert Williams. The event will be held Sunday, November 5, 2017, at the El Paso Country Club, 5000 Country Club Pl, El Paso, TX 79922. Short biographies of the recipients are located below:
Alex and Patti Apostolides: Alex Apostolides was a resident of El Paso for over forty years and is best remembered for his KTEP radio show, “The Edge of Texas.” Mr. Apostolides was an archaeologist, historian, writer, and photographer, among many other things. Mr. Apostolides died in September 2005. His wife, Patti, was a realtor in El Paso and co-produced the radio show.
Mayor Don Henderson: Between 1975 and 1977, Henderson served as Mayor of El Paso. He also served on the Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners. During his time as Mayor, Sun Metro was created, enough funds were secured to complete the North/South Freeway, and the right of way for the extension of North Loop to Hawkins was cleared.
James Peak: James Peak has fundraised for health care institutions, higher education institutions, religious organizations, museums and other non-profit organizations across the United States. Between 1989 and 1991, Mr. Peak was employed as the president of the Providence Memorial Foundation where he 
established a fundraising program for the hospital. Just after two years after the Foundation’s formation, Mr. Peak raised over $1.5m from individual and corporate donors. He also worked for The University of Texas at El Paso as a development officer, and once served as president of the El Paso County Historical Society.
Mayor Bert Williams: Mayor Williams was born in El Paso’s Segundo Barrio and graduated El Paso High in 1942. As Mayor, Williams had the Franklin Canal fenced in and directed the city attorney’s office to file a lawsuit against ASARCO that led to the mandatory testing of air and soil. Williams also improved public housing in El Paso by ensuring that it was fairly and equitably distributed throughout the city. Furthermore, he was instrumental in expanding the city’s park system.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with dinner to follow at 7:00 p.m. The award ceremony will begin at 7:45 p.m. A cash bar will be available.
Since 1961, the Hall of Honor Banquet has recognized men and women who represent the best of El Paso. These individuals of distinction and passion have contributed to the advancement of the Borderland through their work in development, education, civic engagement, law, medicine, and history.
Past honorees include Joseph Magoffin, Tom Lea, Abraham Chavez, Jr., Anson Mills, and Gertrude Goodman, Richard F. Burges, and Dr. Diana Natalicio. For a complete list, please visithttps://www.elpasohistory.com/the-society/hall-of-honor/.
Tickets are $100 and are now on sale. For more information, please contact Robert Diaz at 915-533-3603 or atinfo@elpasohistory.com.
