Local actor and music man Bill Lehnerd will take center stage on Sunday at a luncheon held in his honor.

The lifelong Butler resident will be celebrated during the dedication of the Musical Theatre Guild production center, which will now bear his name.

The center on Wick Street in Memorial Park will be called the William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall.

After teaching for 31 years at Butler High School, Lehnerd decided to take an active approach to retirement — immersing himself in local arts. This weekend he will be recognized for his lifetime achievements.

Known as "Uncle Bill" to many of his theater friends, Lehnerd was a founder, past president and first director of the MTG in 1962. He founded the Butler Summer Dramatics Project in 1967 and The Masquers Musicals in 1957, directing many of their yearly productions.

"I am looking forward to being together with all my friends and will enjoy every moment they have planned," said Lehnerd, who has been battling a brain tumor since last summer.

"It is such an honor what they are doing and I am very appreciative."

Phyllis Laporte, who is on the board of the MTG, has been working with other board members in organizing the event, set for 1:30 p.m. at the Butler Country Club. Laporte first worked with Lehnerd doing costumes.

"I worked my first show with Bill in 1966 at Butler High. It was 'My Fair Lady'. I was on the costume crew. I also helped on one of the first Summer Dramatic shows, 'Plain and Fancy,'" said Laporte.

"We have some folks who will be singing songs from past shows that Bill has directed and have a nice luncheon planned," said Laporte.

MTG president Barb Osche has been working on shows with Lehnerd for the past 30 years.

"I was petitioned by a group of MTG singers about naming the MTG Production Center in Memorial Park after Bill," Osche said.

"Bill was responsible for getting the building in the park and for adding the rehearsal hall to the scene shop. That building was Bill's baby and he took very good care of it, so it only made sense to name it after him," she said.

The board of directors voted unanimously for the dedication.

"I thought an event honoring Bill was a good way to let him know how much we appreciate what he has done for Musical Theatre Guild. Bill has made a lot of friends over the years and has served as mentor to many theater folks," said Osche.

"This event gives all of the people who have been touched by Bill in their lives a chance to say 'Thank You Uncle Bill,'" she added.

Also sharing in the events of the day is Ken Schreffler Jr. of Butler, an MTG board member who spent much time under Lehnerd's tutelage.

"I met Bill when I was in high school in the late '60s," Schreffler said.

"When I first started doing musical theater in 1973 it was hard for me to call him anything but Mr. Lehnerd," he added.

"He told me to call him Bill, but that was still hard to do, so I started calling him Uncle Bill as others did," Schreffler added.

Schreffler and his peers agree that Lehnerd is more than deserving of this honor.

"I feel I have become a better director and actor because of being directed by Bill and I had the opportunity to direct Bill in 'Damn Yankees' in 1997."

"Bill deserves this because he gives 1,000 percent to the guild and to any organization he becomes involved with. I know I can speak for many people when I say that William A. Lehnerd is a driving force and a beacon of light to all arts in Butler County," Schreffler said.

Ron Lockwood of Cherry Valley agrees with Schreffler that Lehnerd's impact has been great.

"Knowing and working with Bill over the years has greatly increased my own general knowledge of theater as well as enhancing my abilities in acting, lighting design, working with people and organization," Lockwood said.

Jeanne Potter of Slippery Rock is one of Lehnerd's biggest fans and a longtime friend.

"In addition to volunteering at the Butler hospital every Friday when he was able, he took the time to come to the hospital to sit with me while my mother was critically ill and was there when she ultimately died," said Potter.

"He has been a true friend who always has a kind word of encouragement," she added.

Potter recently assisted Lehnerd in the last several shows he directed.

"People didn't always agree, but Bill always seemed to know the best way to create a mood, explain a story, sell a song and get the audience involved in the total experience of live theater," she said.

"Bill is my hero: the wind beneath my theatrical wings. He is a good man, citizen, uncle, son and Christian," Potter said.

This is by no means the only recognition Lehnerd has received for his contributions to the arts. In 2006 he was presented with the first Award for Excellence by the Butler Arts Council.

Reservation deadline for Sunday's event has passed, but those interested in being a part of the event can contact Laporte at 724-283-6847.

"I can't promise anything, but we'll do our best to accommodate people who want to be a part of Bill's special day," Laporte said.