Belton Seeking Nominations for Hall of Fame

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The city of Belton and the Belton Area Museum Association are now accepting nominations for the 2025 Class of Belton Hall of Fame inductees, an honor created to recognize citizens who have made significant contributions to the city's civic, educational, athletic, and cultural life.

This year's induction ceremony will move from its traditional December date to a new presentation at the Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival on October 4. Mayor Eleanor Dorn said the change was made to ensure the honorees are recognized before a larger audience.

“The award recipients will be presented to a larger audience,” Mayor Dorn said. “Make sure to get those nomination forms in by the deadline to be considered for this most prestigious award.”

The deadline for nominations is September 12. Application forms are available at Belton City Hall and the Belton Area Museum Association, and are also posted on their respective Facebook pages. Here are the requirements for inductees.

According to Abigail Burden, the executive director of the Belton Area Museum Association, all nominations from previous years will be reviewed again, alongside new submissions.

Three inductees will be chosen for this year's class by a six-person committee, with one inductee selected from each of three categories:

• Historic: (1850–1950)

• Deceased: (1900–present)

• Living: (1925–present)

A recognition plaque will be placed in each inductee’s honor at Belton City Hall. Past honorees include Dr. George R. Brown, Mr. Nathan Coward, Mr. Blair “Fluffy” Rice, Mrs. Jean Crawford Martin, Mr. Dave McKee, Mr. Ron “Red” Lawson, Mr. A.R. Campbell, Mr. Jim Russell, and Rev. Kenneth Dean.

2022

Historic: Mrs. Jessie Breazeale Lewis

Deceased: Mr. Charles Meeks, Sr.

Living: Mr. Marty Knight

2023

Historic: Mr. JT Rice

Deceased: Mr. Charlie Bill Martin

Living: Mr. Rex Maynard

2024

Historic: Dr. William Carroll Brown

Deceased: Mr. Matthew Crayton

Living: Mrs. Martha Keys Bagby