Willie earned his eligibility for the Veterans of Foreign Wars while serving at Camp Beavers South Korea during 1968, as a Commo Chief in 73rd Armor, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. His other duty assignment during a 3-year US Army enlistment included the Army Special Education School at Fort Gordon, GA and the 172nd Infantry Battalion in Fort Richardson, Alaska to include a short assignment as the Commo Chief of F Troop, 16th Cavalry.

          He has served the VFW as the State Awards Chairman (3 years); State Convention Committee (2 years); District 11 Chief of Staff (4 years); District 11 Quartermaster (1 year); and Senior Vice Commander (2 years). In 2020 – 2021, Willie earned All-State District Quartermaster and he has continued each year since to work with and support the Posts of District 11 to achieve 100% membership.  A Silver Legacy Life member of VFW Post 7908 in Holmen, Willie has also served as Post Junior Vice Commander and Trustee. He is especially proud of his recognition as a National Aide-de-Camp for two consecutive years.

          Willie grew up on a family farm in North Carolina that is still in the family today.  After completing his formal education with degrees in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Agronomy (field crops), Willie’s professional career spanned over 33 years with two Ag Chemical Companies and a Farm Management and Investment Banking Company, where he started as a Sales/Marketing Representative and was ultimately promoted to Junior Corporate Marketing Executive.  He is also proud of the fact that for 11 years he was one of three Black farmers in the State of Wisconsin.

            Currently, Willie resides in Onalaska, with his wife Dee and just across the Mississippi River in Minnesota is their son and his family.