One year ago, Wright City officials gathered for a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new park building. On Saturday, they returned with past mayors to recognize one of their own. As family members and officials fought back tears, the facility at Diekroeger Park was officially named Wil Heiliger Memorial Activity Building during the annual Strassenbash festival. "He built our community to what it is now," current Alderman Jamey Abercrombie said. Heiliger had spent 22 years as a Wright City alderman, all of them as board president. During that time, he served with three mayors - Roger Brinkmann, Rick Schmidt and Eileen Klocke. Heiliger passed away May 4. He was 62. Abercrombie presented Wil's wife, Cathy, with a plaque from the city. Their two sons, Adam and David, also received certificates during the ceremony. "He tried to run the city the way he did his own life and our home life," Cathy Heiliger said. "He treated it as his home and tried to make the city grow and be a great place for the community. I think he did that." Curt Kehoe, park director, said it was an appropriate gesture for Heiliger's name to be placed on the 3,200-square-foot building. Kehoe noted that the park building has seen many events held there since construction ended in May. The facility, a replica of a train depot, has a meeting room capable of holding 100 people, a kitchen, bathrooms and storage space. The building also has office space for the park department and the Wright City Area Chamber of Commerce. "He was always a great supporter of our parks and our kids and our growing community," Kehoe said. Both sons were appreciative of the gesture to have their father's name on a building that will be in the center of town for years to come. "It's emotional," Adam Heiliger said. "It's an honor for sure. We knew he was a great man. He liked the small town. He wanted to make a difference. He loved people." David Heiliger added: "It's pretty neat that people would think that much of him." Cathy Heiliger was thankful to all the city officials who worked alongside her husband during his two-plus decades helping direct the city. "This is overwhelming," she said. "We know what a great guy he was. He was in good company. He worked with a lot of great people all those years. Together, they made Wright City a better place. This new building is wonderful. I hope the community does come and use it often."