By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The faces may have changed but the legacy that Wilson Insurance Agency has brought to Galion certainly won’t.
After 38 years in business, Wilson Insurance Agency was recently purchased by Plymale Insurance Agency of Bucyrus. Lee Plymale and Brad Seibert of Plymale Insurance said that they would continue to operate their new acquire as Wilson Insurance Agency.
“This was not necessarily just in the best move for us in Galion,” Seibert said. “For us, with Jim (Wilson) being here for 38 years and the legacy he’s built here, there’s a reason that we’re keeping the name Wilson Insurance, there’s a reason that we are continuing the legacy that Jim has built here. That is because Jim was a great businessman. He meant a lot to the Galion community.”
Seibert said the decision to retain Wilson Insurance Agency made sense.
“When we heard Jim was even considering retirement, we didn’t place a phone call – we drove over here. That’s just the respect Jim deserves,” Seibert said, “and that’s why you’ll see Wilson insurance on the building and that’s why we’ll continue that legacy.”
“It’s an investment in the community; it’s an investment in Crawford County. We need to keep everything here,” Plymale said. “That was one of the biggest things that I wanted to do. I have some clientele over here but, at the same time, Jim has more clientele over here. His biggest thing was he wanted everyone to stay here.”
“On behalf of the chamber, we certainly thank you for the investment in the community,” stated Joe Kleinknecht, president of the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce.
“It was natural for them to expand,” said Wilson, who has had a relationship with the Plymale business in one form or another over the years. “I was a little surprised that they decided to keep the name, too.”
As for Wilson, he doesn’t plan on just sitting around during his retirement. “I got lots of things to do,” he said.
Plymale Insurance Agency and Wilson Insurance Agency will fall under the umbrella of the Plymale Insurance Group Inc. More information can be found at www.plymaleinsurance.com.