The Business of the Year award was the first for the Chamber and has been named in honor of Billy Ray Cleghern for his contributions to the community.

The award was presented by Chamber of Commerce President Melinda Conwell, who highlighted many of Cleghern's achievements and civic involvement.

He served as School Board chairman and Erin Housing Authority board member and was a volunteer firefighter. He was a member of Erin United Methodist Church and a U.S. Air Force veteran.

Cleghern was a member of the Austin Peay State University Alumni Association and was a Scottish Rite Mason, as well as a Boy Scout leader and a past president of the Civitan and Erin Rotary clubs. He was Lord High Mayor of the 1975 Irish Celebration and received the Chamber's 2011 Emerald Award for outstanding community service.

Conwell said Cleghern's Grocery was honored for its community support, especially youth-related programs and activities. She noted that the store employs a number of young people in the community and many adults' resume show it as their first job.

Article Credit: The Stewart Houston Times