Councilman Edgerton, Menifee's First Mayor, Dies at 81

Wallace Edgerton, a pioneer in Menifee city politics and its first mayor in 2008, died today at his home in Menifee.

Edgerton, 81, died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an illness that was first diagnosed in 2009, according to a city news release. He had been in declining health the last several months from complications related to a 2011 lung transplant.

Although he had been unable to personally attend city council meetings this year, Edgerton faithfully kept up with his obligations as best as he could from his home, while making weekly trips to San Diego for treatment. He participated via telephone and voted in council meetings through the May 20 meeting, although his declining health made that more and more difficult.

Late last week, Edgerton was transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta for treatment and was sent home a day later. He passed away this afternoon with his wife Judee and his daughters at his bedside.

"My sincere condolences go out to Judee, his daughters and Wally’s loved ones," said Mayor Scott Mann. "Menifee has lost one of its first statesmen, and Wally was always interested in the welfare of the City. He wanted to see the City prosper and do well and that was always one of his goals. We may not have had the same vision on how that may have looked, but we always had great respect for one another.

"I was just fortunate enough to spend some quality time with Wally in his final days and was able to laugh, tell stories and pray with him and his family and I will always cherish those memories."

Edgerton was elected to Menifee’s first City Council in 2008, received the most votes and thus was appointed as the City’s first Mayor, holding that position for three years. After voters approved a council member election system by city district, he was elected to District 3. He was known as a champion for protecting the rights of rural land owners and always advocated slow growth and large lots.

Edgerton was a stockbroker and lecturer on political science and public administration at Cal State Long Beach and Mt. San Jacinto College. Her served for 17 years on the Long Beach City Council (1975-92), where he was awarded Outstanding Legislator for his tireless work on issues such as nuclear freeze, renters’ rights, and pay equity for women.

"I'm saddened by the loss our great city is faced with today," said council member Matt Liesemeyer. "I know that he's been fighting very hard these last months, having only been present at one meeting since my election. I wish that I could have worked with him more and learned for myself what kind of man he truly was.

"We've only held one brief discussion regarding development, but I had never really gotten a chance to sit with him and talk shop like we had always planned on doing. I'm very sorry for the loss of Councilman Edgerton and I wish his family the very best in moving forward."

The city council will consider the process for replacing Edgerton at its next meeting.

Funeral Arrangements will be announced at a later time. Mann has ordered all city flags to be flown at half-staff until Edgerton’s funeral. For more information, please call Robert Johnson, City Manager for the City of Menifee, at 951-672-6777 or visit www.cityofmenifee.us.