C.W. "Bill" Mulford

C.W. "Bill" Mulford was born on November 8, 1902, in Rockford. He married Dorothy Jordan in 1922.

Mr. Mulford was employed by the Smith Oil Company for 16 years and in professional Scouting since 1943, serving the Kishwaukee and Sinnissippi Districts. He also served for many years as a Scoutmaster prior to his tenure as an executive.

He became camp director and ranger in 1945, and "Ma" Mulford was cook for nine years.

Many former staffers and campers recall Mr. Mulford at evening campfires. He got everybody in on singing, tall stories, skits, and inspirational speeches. He was really good at it. Russ Sarver has fond recollections of Mr. Mulford and that he really knew when to get the crowd excited and when to calm them down as the campfire faded. Mr. Mulford was also famous for his Paul Bunyan stories. Ray Gierhart recalls that he was just enthralled with them, and that the accent he put in made them sound almost real.

Ken Buhmeyer recalls that Mr. Mulford was a great mentor and leader, and that before teamwork became the corporate buzz the Lowden staff had it all down pat!

Mr. Mulford was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and in 1960 received the Lodge Distinguished Service Award. The Order of the Arrow lodge was dedicated on August 19, 1962, to Mr. Mulford, along with Zane Gray, Ken Peterson, and Svend Lundsgaard.

Mr. Mulford retired in June 1965. He passed away on January 19, 1969, after a brief illness and Mrs. Mulford passed away in 1975. They are buried at Willwood Burial Park in Rockford.