Seven outstanding citizens will be inducted in the Atmore Area Hall of Fame April 28: Athletics – Willie Parker and Earl Miller; Government – Stephanie Bryan and Weldon Vickrey; Business – Dale Ash and Bill Farr; Medicine – Ima Joan Helton-Crawford
The induction ceremony and dinner will be held Saturday, April 28, 6 p.m., at The Club, Highway 21, Atmore. Tickets, $25 each, are available at Atmore News and United Bank. Note: Everyone must have a ticket to attend the ceremony and dinner. All former inductees are invited to attend at no cost, courtesy of the Hall of Fame Committee.
This week, Atmore News features inductee Willie Parker. Information and photo provided by the Hall of Fame Committee and the inductee.
Willie J. Parker
Willie Parker is a renowned educator, coach, and author.
His education included Bachelor of Science, Alabama State University (ASU); Master of Science, Indiana University; Post Graduate Work, University of Chicago; Doctoral Candidate, University of Florida.
Parker began his career as head football coach, Lyons Industrial High in Lyons, Georgia. He next served as assistant football coach, Alabama State University; head football coach, Albany State College, Albany, Ga.; assistant football coach, University of Cincinnati; head football coach, ASU; assistant football coach, University of Florida; NFL talent scout, Tampa; offensive coordinator, Alabama A&M University. His next position was at ASU, and from there he retired in 1992.
His positions included head football coach and associate professor education; associate professor of education and project administrator / NYSP and Sports Complex; Chair, Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and associate professor of education; and associate professor of education, facility director Joe L. Reed Acadome.
Parker’s publications include the following:
Book
* Counseling African Americans, Woodrow M. Parker, Ph.D. and Willie James Parker
Articles
* An Investigative Survey of the Power Structure of the American Football Coaches Association
* Place of Football in the College Program, Alabama High School Teachers Association Journal
* 1993 Conference on Enhancing Black and Other Minority Student Presence and Success in the Community College
Reader
* Multicultural Relations on Campus: A Personal Growth Approach, Woodrow M. Parker, Ph.D., James Archer, Jr., Ph.D., and James E Scott, Ph.D.
Parker’s membership in organizations and his affiliations include the following:
* AAHPER (American Association of Health, Physical Education and
Recreation)
* Alabama State University Alumni Association
* American Football Coaches Association
* Indiana University Alumni .Association
* Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
* Phi Delta Kappa Professional Fraternity
Parker has received the following honors:
* Volunteer Award, Alabama Special Olympics, 2002
* Spirit of Special Olympics Award, 1999
* Selected to the 1983 edition of the “Most Outstanding Personalities in the South”
* Selected to the l972 edition of the “Most Outstanding Young Men of America”
* Inducted into the ISTAP Sports Hall of Fame – ASU in 2009
Parker is married with three adult children (one deceased).