City of Victoria leaders are extending their condolences following the recent passing of former Mayor Will Armstrong.
Mayor Armstrong’s service to the City dates back to 1973, when he served on the City Council for three two-year terms. He was elected mayor in 2004, a position he held for three terms before departing in 2013.
The owner of a local business (Armstrong Warehouse & Transfer), Mayor Armstrong was an advocate for economic development and a firm believer that growth was crucial to community prosperity. Under his leadership, the City successfully negotiated with Caterpillar to come to Victoria and helped to fund key infrastructure projects, including the first section of Loop 463.
His legacy of quality-of-life improvements includes the Youth Sports Complex, which was approved by voters in 2006, opened to the public in 2008 and continues to be a key resource for sports tourism and local recreation. Also in 2006, his administration proposed a public smoking ban that was approved by voters, an important milestone in protecting public health.
Mayor Armstrong was also a longtime member of the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation, serving on the board first as mayor and later as a citizen from 2017 to 2019.
“Mayor Armstrong was a model public servant, having served our community for decades as an elected official, a small business owner and a supporter of economic and community development through the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation,” Mayor Duane Crocker said. “He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”