Taylor County officials on working with retired County Judge Downing Bolls

Here are comments from Taylor County officials and others who worked with Downing Bolls, who retired as Taylor County judge at the end of the year:

Tamra Lewis, Taylor County commissioners court administrative assistant: Judge Bolls has been a wonderful Judge to work for and alongside. He is humble, fair and has always had an open-door policy for county staff and department heads. He has seen growth in the county, faced diversity and many challenges over his tenure as county judge, and has shown great leadership and compassion throughout. He led us through unprecedented times during a global pandemic when businesses, schools and hospitals were facing great adversities. And as a local historian, he is excited and appreciative to see the 1915 Taylor County Courthouse being restored.

Rochelle Johnson, Taylor County Expo Center: I appreciated working with Judge Bolls over the course of the years.  He was always supportive of the events as well as the improvements at the Expo Center.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Randy Williams: For over 33 years, while working for KRBC, Downing A. Bolls Jr. often came into my living room to tell me about what was happening locally and around the world. In 2010, when he became our County Judge, I had the privilege to now serve beside him on the Taylor County Commissioners’ Court. Judge Bolls was clearly dedicated to being the best servant to the people of Taylor County as he could be. At conferences you would always find him close to the front of the room taking copious notes.

He took his responsibilities very seriously and tended to be more reflective-oriented than action-oriented. And along with that, he demonstrated a tender heart toward people and especially those who came before him in probate and mental health cases. I think that his tender heart may have presented to him some of his greatest challenges in that decisions about people may often result in some form of sadness or disappointment, even though those decisions, at the time, were for their best.

His love for history brought an interesting dynamic to the court as he would often research when various issues had been decided and why things had been done the way they were.

I think the one thing I appreciate most about Judge Bolls is his willingness to seek advice, input, and to listen. He would often come into my office, sit down, and state his opinion on various matters as well as ask my opinion. I will miss him very much.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Kyle Kendrick: It has been an honor to work with Judge Bolls. He has been a great mentor and leader for Taylor County. He has been through multiple disasters in his term and overcome them, and in doing so he has always kept the best interest for the citizens of Taylor County in mind.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Chuck Statler: Judge Bolls is the fourth county judge that I’ve had the pleasure to work with in my 24 years on the commissioners court. It was an easy transition when he came aboard  probably due to the fact that both of us came out of television. He has an unusual nature about him in gathering information, which came being a journalist. We wish Judge and Mrs. (Debbie) Bolls all the best as they move towards the next chapter in their lives.

Editor's note: Precinct 3 Commissioner Brad Birchum did not provide a comment.

Taylor County judges through the years

Judges in Taylor County, going back to 1878, generally haven't stayed in office for long periods of time. Lee Hamilton served for eight years while Reed Ingalsbe served for 10 years. The longest-serving county judge is Roy Skaggs, who logged 15 years (1963-78). Downing Bolls retires in the No. 2 slot, with 12 years.

The next county judge is Phil Crowley, who won the March primary election against opponent Scott Lebowitz.

J.W. Drury: 1878

E.P. Beauchamp: 1878-80

Luke Matthews: 1880-81

D.B. Corley: 1881-82

John W. Murray:1882-84

H.A. Porter: 1884-90

D.G. Hill: 1890-1900

C.M. Christenberry: 1900-02

D.G. Hill: 1902-06

T.A. Bledsoe: 1906-13

E.M. Overshiner: 1913-1920

D. G. Hill: 1920-24

Carlos D. Speck: 1924-26

Tom K. Eplen: 1927-32

John Camp: 1933-37

Lee Roy York: 1937-38

Carl P. Hulsey: 1939-44

Wiley Caffey: 1945-49

Walter S, Pope Jr.: 1949-51

Reed Ingalsbe: 1952-62

Roy Skaggs: 1963-78

Jesse Holloway: 1985-91

Lee Hamilton: 1992-2000

Victor Carrillo: 2001-03

George Newman: 2003-10

Downing A. Bolls, Jr.: 2010-2022

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Taylor County officials on working with retired County Judge Downing Bolls