Keizer’s public works department — the crews that keep water flowing, streets maintained and parks operating — is preparing for a leadership change as longtime director Bill Lawyer plans to retire in February 2026 after 36 years with the city.
Lawyer, who joined Keizer in 1989 as a waterworks operator and became public works director in 2012, said a bout with throat cancer in 2025 pushed him to move up his timeline so he can focus on family and his health. He completed treatment in 2025 and later indicated he was cancer-free, according to public statements.
In a career spent largely behind the scenes, Lawyer helped guide the growth and reliability of Keizer’s core infrastructure as the city expanded over the past several decades. As director, he has been responsible for overseeing 106 miles of city streets, 131 miles of water pipes and a stormwater network that includes 79 miles of pipe and 1,239 manholes. The department employs about 30 people and operates with an annual budget of about $26 million…