The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce honored three of its members for high achievement and leadership that helped shape the West Seattle community.

The event took place at their April 9 breakfast at Salty's. Sun and sentiment poured through the dining room as Chamber President Dawn Leverett hosted the event and Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis presented the awards. He thanked Nucor Steele's sponsorship of the awards, and for being "the largest recycler in the city of Seattle."

Warren Lawless received the 2007 Community Service Award for 70 years of work in the West Seattle community. Ceis said of the community historian that he "left a lasting legacy for all of us to follow."

Lawless said he accepted "in the name of 100 colleagues."

"The award is nice, but I have been rewarded many fold. My satisfaction comes from seeing a community grow and prosper," Lawless said. "Based on experience I recommend it."

He was accompanied by his son, Jack and daughter-in-law, Jennifer.

Lawless worked for the West Seattle Herald from 1946-1966, starting as a journeyman composing room typographer. His other numerous positions included executive director, Washington Osteopathic Medical Association chief lobbyist, and executive director for both the Hi-Yu Summer Celebration and Junction Shopping Center. He was the West Seattle Kiwanian of the year in 1979 and 1990, and turns 90 this year.

Tom Smith of Tom's Automotive Service received the 2007 Business of the Year Award for "consistently keeping his level of service high over 37 years in business in West Seattle," according to the Chamber. Smith received the mayor's Small Business Award of 2002, and won best auto repair in the West Seattle Herald survey in 2002, 2003, and 2007. He received a five-star rating from EnvironStar for his environmentally sensitive handling of hazardous and other waste.

Smith began his business alone, and now has eight employees, one who has worked for him 30 years, one for 27, and another for 17. He seemed humbled by the attention, and credited his employees for the business' success.

"When I first started I knew nothing about customer service but over the years have learned a lot. The time has flown."

John Musgrave won the Lifetime Membership Award. Musgrave was president of the chamber in 1993. A marketing consultant for Boeing, he then ran his own business. He was second in command on the Expo '74 board Spokane and helped the fair get off and running on time. In 1980 he was vice president of marketing for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.