History

Retired Army Col. John Bilon is rightfully called "The Father of the Sherwood Rotary Club." Jahn came to Sherwood from Harrisonburg, Virginia in 1987 following his retirement as a full professor from James Madison University. He had served two years as the president of the 200 member Rotary Club of Harrisonburg, and one year as the District Governor Representative. He also had IO years of perfect attendance. .

Upon his arrival here he discovered that there was no Rotary Club in Sherwood. He decided that a commwiity this large should have a Rotary Club. He asked for and received the sponsorship of the North Little Rock Rotary Club. He contacted an old Army buddy, Lt. Col.. William Pippen, and enlisted his help. Mr.. Pippen contacted several of his friends in the community and in typical Army fashion said, "We're going to organize a Rotary Club in Sherwood. You be there!.

The new Club was chartered on November 18, 1987 and was given the Rotary Club number 25,026. The Charter night banquet was held in the Rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol with District Governor John H. Bennett presenting the charter. There were 26 charter members: Adrain Agee, Michael D. Anderson, John J. Bilon, Stephen Bilon, Paul Boynton, Dell C. Evans, William Fisher, 111, C. Mark Goodson, Milas Hale, Jr., Milas H. Hale, Brian Harkins, Tom N. Hart, Bill Herron, Rick Love, Guinn Massey 111, Rick Miller, Wilburn Nicholson, Don Peters, William Pippen, Dale W. Rossom, David Stotelmyer, Jr., William J. Stroud, Bobby Vint, Rudolph Wacker, James Whitten, and Doug Wood.