Just minutes after last week’s town council meeting ended, Bill Sutton was asked if retiring from public service was bittersweet.

Never one to pass up a humorous one-liner, Sutton shook his head and smiled. “No,” he replied, “just sweet.”

Sutton, 72, was honored at the Dec. 1 meeting with a plaque and much gratitude for his 16 years of service to the town.

The councilman announced in July that he would not seek reelection and would retire when his office term expired.

Besides serving four years as a councilman, Sutton was also town manager from 1993-2001 and served on the planning board from 2003-2005.

Mayor Keith Weatherly noted that Sutton was town manager during Apex’s biggest growth spurt and jokingly suggested folks could blame him.

“That is when we hit our spurt and I think we can blame him for the growth for those who don’t like it,” said Weatherly.

Weatherly also pointed out that Sutton retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel and that “he served honorably” in Vietnam.

Under Sutton’s guidance the town built a new library, public works building, community center, and fire station.

“This is not farewell because I know he has many contributions remaining,” said Weatherly. Weatherly presented a plaque to Sutton while all those in attendance gave the new retiree a standing ovation.

Afterward, Sutton said he was proud of the town’s progress during his 16 years on the job but also credited good fortune.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” said Sutton. “Believe me, I know the difference. I’ve been in the wrong place at the wrong time, too.”

Sutton said he would serve the town on a limited basis if someone requested it.

“But I’m not going to volunteer,” he said with a smile. “That is something I should have learned when I was in the Army – never volunteer.”