Bill Wilcox – Official Oak Ridge City Historian

William J. “Bill” Wilcox, was a chemist who came to Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project in World War II and went on to become technical director for federal facilities K-25 and Y-12, was named Oak Ridge city historian, and led the fight to preserve the history of the former K-25 site, which was built during World War II to enrich uranium for atomic bombs.

One of Oak Ridge’s most distinguished citizens, he was a pioneer scientist of the Manhattan Project, and as city historian, Bill helped preserve Oak Ridge’s unique history through his leadership on projects such as the Secret City Commemorative Walk and the Birth of a City projects.

“Oak Ridge helped win the most terrible war in history,” said Wilcox in 2010.  “But then those scientists focused their efforts and knowledge on endeavors that benefit people all over the world like nuclear medicine and nuclear power. These are the legacies we like to have people remember as well how we helped end the war.”

WBIR Report on the passing of Bill Wilcox  Sept 4, 2013

• What Made the Manhattan Project Succeed
• The Role of Oak Ridge in the Manhattan Project
• Early Days of Oak Ridge and Wartime Y-12
• What It Was Like to Live in the Secret City
• How 75,000 People Kept a Secret
• Memories of Secret City Days
• Why Oak Ridge Should Celebrate Its Birthday on September 19, 1942
• A Letter to the NPS Explaining MP’s Costs and Organizational Structure
• A Favorite After Hours Activity During War Time Oak Ridge – Dancing
• How the Last Piece of Little Boy Got to Tinian Island
• 509th Composite Group and Oak Ridge
• The Last Eight Day of WWII
• Opening the Gates of the Secret City
• Y-12’s Second Manhattan Project
• The Transformation and Second Birth of Oak Ridge
• The Role of Oak Ridge in the Manhattan Project (For a Technical Audience)
• How Oak Ridge Helped in World War II