Category: W – Z

Biography: Journalist. Born– Selma, Ala. Parents– Henry and Mary (Smitherman) Behrendsen. Married– Herbert J. Ward. Education– University of Alabama. Editor, Gammadion (literary magazine), 1925-1927; contributing editor, Yankee Humor, 1926-1927; associate editor, Poetry Forum, 1930-1931; feature writer, Birmingham News, 1932-1933; member, editorial staff, Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs Magazine, 1935-1936. Member– Alabama Writers Conclave, National League…

Biography: Football player. Education– Dupont Manual High School, Louisville, Ky.; University of Alabama, B.S., 1964. Chosen in fifth round of National Football League draft by Green Bay Packers. Played professional football, 1964-74;  in National Football League for Packers, Giants, Redskins, Bears, Cardinals and Eagles; in World Football League, Chicago Fires. Source: I’d Rather Be Wright;…

Biography: Teacher, song writer. Born– August 25, 1890, in Columbiana, Ala. Parents– James Richmond and Willie Roberts White. Married– Wales Wellington Wallace. Children– Two. Collaborated with her sister, Clarice White Luck, writing songs and teaching music and dramatics in Shelby County high schools. Vocalist on radio programs. Editor, Shelby County Democrat. Died July 13, 1981.…

Biography: Teacher; college professor; writer; editor.  Born– April 6, 1940. Parents– Louis Wesley and Katherine (King) Brannan. Married– Ronald Walker. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.S.; Tulane University, M.Ed., M.A., Ph.D. (1981).  Taught English at Foley High School; Newcomb College; University of South Alabama, 1979-. Stokes Distinguished Professor of English at USA. Adjunct Professor…

Biography: Lawyer, legislator. Born– December 12, 1874, in Center Star, Ala. Parents– John Henry and Mary Sue (Ingram) Wallace. Married– Ina Eleanor Winslette, June 1, 1911. Children– Two. Education– State Normal School, Florence, graduated in 1890 ; studied law in Florence and Huntsville. Admitted to Alabama Bar, May 10, 1896; practiced in Huntsville; member Alabama…

Biography: Historian; author; college professor. Born August 25, 1949,  in Anniston, Ala. Parents– Wallace G., Jr., and Virginia Parks Woodruff. Education– Jacksonville State University, B.A., 1971; University of Arkansas, M.A., 1973; University of Tennessee, Ph.D., 1977.  Assistant editor, Booker T. Washington Papers project, 1977-1978.  Assistant professor of history,  College of Charleston, 1979-1988; Pennyslvania State University, 1988-present.…

Biography: Professor of English. Born– April 13, 1930, in Gurley, Ala. Married– Mary Stone. Children– Four. Education– University of Alabama, B.A., 1951; University of Michigan, M.A., 1955, Ph.D., 1960. Taught English at the University of Kentucky, 1957-1959; University of Alabama, 1959-1990; professor and director of graduate studies, Dept. of English. Author of many scholarly articles…

Biography: Advertising executive; foundation executive. Born– April 16, 1916, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Edward Hamilton and Clarine (Buell) West. Married– Maria Selden McDonald, November 29, 1946. Children– Five. Education– Birmingham Southern College, A.B., 1936. Major, Adjutant General Corps, U. S. Army, 1941-46. Advertising writer, 1936-1950; advertising executive, Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborne, New York City,…

Biography: Professor of French. Born– October 21, 1907, in Port Washington, N.Y. Parents– Charles Hamilton and Eva Lucille (Crum) Wicks. Married– Florence Henderickson,  July 15, 1929. Children– Three. Education– Wesleyan University, Conn., A.B., 1929; Johns Hopkins, Ph.D., 1935; University of Paris; University of Madrid; University of Mexico. Taught at Wesleyan, 1932-1934; Johns Hopkins, 1934-1935; University…

Biography: Physician; social activist. Born– September 20, 1918, in Dothan, Ala. Parents– Willie P. and Laura (Florence) Wright. Married– Louise L. Lovett, February 11, 1950. Children– Two. Education– Alabama State College, B. S., 1939; Meharry Medical College, M.D., 1943. Practiced medicine, Harlem Hospital, New York City, 1943-1945 and 1950-1953; Cleveland City Hospital, 1945; Hutzel Hospital,…

Biography: Journalist. Born– December 14, 1924, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Earl Watson and Elizabeth (Roberts) Wood. Married– Martin O. Waldron, October 18, 1947. Children– Four. Education– University of Alabama, A.B., 1945; Princeton University, graduate study. Reporter, Atlanta Constitution, 1945-1947; feature writer/reporter, Tampa Tribune, 1957-1960; weekly columnist and correspondent, St. Petersburg Times, 1960-1965; book editor, Houston…

Biography: Teacher; professor of education. Born– September 15, 1928, in Clinton, Ill. Parents– Carter Bransletter and Trella Bernice (Bell) Walden. Married– Shirley Gail Butterfield, February 1, 1952. Children– Two. Education– University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., 1952; California State University, Los Angeles, M.A., 1957; Claremont Graduate School, Ph.D., 1966. Military service: U.S. Navy, 1946-1948. Taught…

Biography: Singer; socialite; political wife. Born– January 28, 1939, in Elba, Ala. Parents– Charles and Ruby Lee (Folsom) Ellis. (Ruby Lee Folsom was the sister of Alabama governor Jim Folsom). Married– John Snively, III. Children– Two. Married– George Corley Wallace, January 4, 1971. Education– Huntingdon College; University of Alabama; Rollins College, Winter Park, Fla.; Neighborhood…

Biography: Teacher. Born– June 24, 1897, in Pollard, Escambia County, Ala. Parents– Marion Nathaniel and Laura (Lindsey) Harris. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, B.S. Married– Drury Leroy Walker. Taught school in several South Alabama cities and Marvel, Bibb County; taught at Jay, Fla., and Holmes Bible College. Served as president, Woman’s Auxiliary for the Alabama Conference…

Biography: University professor and administrator. Born– April 10, 1926, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Arthur Lonzo and Agnes (Bynum) Walker. Married– Gladys Evelyn Walker, August 4, 1949. Children– Two. Education– Samford University, B.A., 1949; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, M.Div., 1952; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th.D., 1956; Indiana University, 1963; University of Alabama, 1964-1965. Served in U.S.…

Biography: Librarian; library educator. Born– March 30, 1911, in May, Tex. Parents– James Ernest and Della (Campbell) Wiggins. Married– James Curtis Waldrop. Children–two. Education– Livingston State University, B.S., 1939; University of Alabama, M.Ed., 1960; Ed.S, 1970. Further study, University of Denver; State University of New York, Albany; University of California, Berkeley.  Librarian at Hewitt-Trussville High School,…

Biography: Veterinarian. Born– August 9, 1908, in South Richmond, Va. Parents– William Henry, III, and Sarah Ann (Quarles) Waddell. Married– Lottie Younge, August 18, 1939. Children– One. Education– Lincoln University, B.S., 1931; University of Pennsylvania, D.V.M., 1935. Military service, U.S. Army,  9th Cavalry Regiment, U.S.Army, 1942-1945. Taught and practiced at Tuskegee, Ala., 1935-1942, 1945-1950. Director…

Biography: Teacher. Born– February 3, 1896, Georgiana, Ala. Parents– Peter W. and Lula K. Watson.  Education– University of Alabama, B.S. and M.A., 1949.  Taught at Georgiana High School; Geneva and Tuscaloosa Counties; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Brookley Air Force Base Adult and Veteran’s Division, Murphy High School, Mobile; University of Alabama Center, Mobile; Barton Academy,…

Biography: University Professor; literary scholar. Born– May 1, 1931, in Anderson, S.C. Married– Juanita Goodman, 1957. Children–two. Education– Duke University, A.B., 1953; Columbia University, M.A., 1958; Vanderbilt University, Ph.D., 1966. Taught English at Georgia Institute of Technology, 1958-1961; University of Alabama, 1966-1997. Published articles in Louisiana History, Mississippi Quarterly and Southern Literary Journal.  Died January 28,…

Biography: Librarian. Born– March 3, 1952, in Gadsden, Ala. Parents– Amos Jasper and Carolyn (Shores) Wright. Married– Dianne Vargo, 1980. Children– two. Education– Auburn University, B.A., 1973; University of Alabama, M.L.S., 1982. Paraprofessional librarian, Auburn University, 1973-1981; cataloger, Tuscaloosa Public Library, 1982-1983; clinical librarian, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1983-. Member– Poetry Society…

See: Wylie, Laura Isabelle.

See: Wolff, Jonathan Ansell.

See: Wood, Clement Richardson.

See: Butterworth, William Edmund, III

See: Williams, Bess Bradford

See: Williams, Margaret Johnson

See: Wells, Glenn Lawrence, Jr.,

See: Ward, Robinson J., Jr.

See: Stoddard, Sandol.

See: Latner, Claudia Patrick Wallace.

Biography: Educator. Born– July 12, 1934, in Jacksonville, Fla. Married– 1958. Children– Two. Education– Spelman College, A.B., 1951; Boston University, M.A., 1953; Indiana University, Ph.D., 1958; Butler University; University of Chicago. Director, Special Services, Grambling College, 1957-1960; Dean, Division of Humanities, Miles College, 1960-1962; Chief psychologist, Indiana State Board of Corrections, 1964-1969. Taught Graduate school,…

Biography: Teacher, minister. Born– January 28, 1867, in Lenoir, N.C. Parents– Lucius Fletcher and Rowena (Oates) Whitaker. Married– Isabel Preston Royal on March 3, 1891. Children– Four. Dorothy French, February 4, 1918. Education– Alabama Polytechnic Institute, A.B., 1884; A.M. 1891; University of South, D.D., 1909. Taught at Barton Academy, Mobile, 1884-1888. Minister in Auburn, Montgomery…

Biography: Born– May 20, 1926. Parents– John Thomas and Constance Roddey (Rappe) Duckett. Married– William E. Winter, December 24, 1944. Children– Four. Education– University of South Carolina, 1941-1944. Owned Needlework shop, Tuscaloosa, 1975-1981; awarded Needlepoint Guild Book of the Year Award, 1975. Source: Adalee Winter, Tuscaloosa, Ala.. Publication(s): Needlecraft Kingdom. Birmingham, Ala.; Oxmoor House, 1976.…

Biography: Teacher, businessman. Born– March 25, 1921, in Alco, La. Parents– Obie Lee and Lilla (Givens) Weatherly. Education– Stetson University, 1946-1948; Florida State University, 1949; University of Alabama, 1950-1951. Served in U.S. Army Air Force, 1942-1945. Taught English in Crestview, Fla., 1949-1950. Secretary in Dharan, Saudi Arabia, 1951-1954; New York City, 1954-1964. Taught writing at…

Biography: Lawyer, teacher. Born– January 9, 1936, in New York City. Parents– Alfred Howard and Gertrude (Kopp) Wasserstrom. Married– Phyllis Ann Levin in 1957. Children– Four. Education– Amherst College, B.A. 1957; University of Michigan, M.A., 1958, Ph.D., 1960; Stanford University, 1960. Taught philosophy at Stanford University, 1960-1962, and law, 1962-1963. Lawyer, Civil Rights Division, U.S.…

Biography: Teacher. Born– August 27, 1931, in Augusta, Ga. Parents– Clinton and Virginia (Murphy) Wilson. Married– Kathy, 1955. Children– Three. Education– Auburn University, one year; University of Alabama, B.S., 1960; Louisiana State University, M.S., 1962, Ph.D., 1969. Military service, six years. Taught at University of Alabama, 1963-1969; University of South Alabama, 1969-; Mississippi State University;…

Biography: Singer. Born– May 26, 1949, in Shreveport, La. Parents– Hank and Audrey Williams. Married– Gwen Yeargain. Children– One. Married– Beck White. Toured with Audrey Williams’ Caravan of Stars; appeared in musical shows and film “My Cheating Heart”; recorded songs. Source: Who’s Who in America. Joint Publication(s): Living Proof; an Autobiography. New York; Putnam, 1979.

Biography: Born– August 5, 1878, in Mobile, Ala. Parents– Thaddeus and Gertrude (Williams) Harrison. Married– John Barnett Waterman, November 15, 1905. Children– One. Education– Agnes Scott Institute, Atlanta; Miss Huger’s School, New York City. Established Boy’s Club of Mobile, and first juvenile court in Alabama and the South. Active in Government Street Presbyterian Church, Mobile…

Biography: Teacher. Born– February 23, 1942, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Parents– Kimball and Hilda (Long) Wiles. Married– Marilyn McCall, December 31, 1964. Children– Two. Education– Florida State University, B.S., 1964; University of Florida, M.Ed., 1967, Ed.D., 1969. Taught at University of Florida; Ontario Institute for the Study of Education; Virginia Polytechnic Institute; Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.…

Biography: Teacher. Born– December 22, 1941, in Beaumont, Tex. Parents– C. L. and Lucile (McCaghn) Wortham. Married– 1968. Children– One. Education– Lamar State College of Technology, B.A., 1963; University of Houston, M.A., 1964; University of Texas, Ph.D. 1967. Taught in Houston schools, 1964-1965; Georgia Southern College, 1967-1969; University of Alabama, Birmingham, 1969-. Source: Contemporary Authors,…

Biography: Entomologist. Born– June 10, 1929, in Birmingham, Ala. Parents– Edward Osborne and Inez (Freeman) Wilson. Married– Irene Kelley, October 30, 1955. Children– One. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1945; M.S., 1950; Harvard University, Ph.D., 1955. Taught at Harvard, 1956-; member, Society of Fellows, 1953-1956. Developed first quantitative theory of species equilibrium; studies entomology and…

Biography: Teacher. Born– December 30, 1949, in New Orleans, La. Parents– Arthur Joseph and Grace (Barrios) Dixon. Married– Allen Wier, April 2, 1969. Education– Louisiana State University; Longwood College; Bowling Green State University, M.F.A., 1974. Taught at University of Pittsburgh; Hollins College; University of Alabama. Awarded National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, 1980. Member– Authors…

Biography: Lived in New Orleans; East Pascagoula, Miss. Became “fallen woman”; worked in Montgomery, Mobile, Birmingham. Loved John Wilkes Booth. Theater work, Richmond, Little Rock, New Orleans. Volunteer nurse in cholera outbreak, 1873, Birmingham; late charitable work, Birmingham, Ala.. Source: Autobiography of a Magdalen. Publication(s): Autobiography of a Magdalen. Birmingham, Ala.; Birmingham Pub. Co., 1911.

Biography: Teacher. Born– November 13, 1900, in Valdosta, Ga. Married– 1937. Education– Emory University, Ph.B., 1922; Harvard, A.M., 1927, Ph.D., 1934. Taught English at Northwestern University, 1927-1931; University of Mississippi, 1934-1936; Cornell University, 1937-1944; Queens College, N.Y., 1945-1946; New York University, 1946-1967. Research fellow, Folger Shakespeare Library, 1936-1937. Retired, 1967, to Birmingham, Ala.. Source: Directory…

Biography: Lawyer. Born– February 16, 1930, in Greenville, Ala. Parents– John Robbins and Myra Lou (Ware) Williams. Married– Doris Karen Toftoy, 1954. Children– Three. Education– University of Alabama, B.S., 1954, J.D., 1956. Admitted to bar, 1956; practiced before U.S. Supreme Court, 1975. Partner, Camp, Williams and Spurrier and Rice, 1975-. Member– Board of Appeals, Alabama…

Bigoraphy: Born– August 15, 1866, in Iredell County, N.C. Parents– Alexander and Eliza (Hobbs) Work. Married– Florence Evelyn Hendrickson. Education– Chicago Theological Seminary, Ph.B., 1902; University of Chicago, A.M., 1903. Worked at Georgia State Industrial College, 1903-1908; Division of Records and Research, Tuskegee Institute, 1908-. Founded and edited Negro Year Book, 1912-. Member– American Sociological…

Biography: Teacher. Born– January 6, 1923, in Cleveland, Ohio. Parents– Carl F. and Marguerite (Purdy) Willman. Married– Dorothy Overton, June 26, 1949. Children– Two. Education– Mount Union College, B.S.; University of Alabama, M.S., Ed.D; Ohio State University, doctoral work-geology. Worked for Texas Co. and Skiles Drilling Co., summers, 1947-1949. Taught at Tuscaloosa County High School,…

Biography: Librarian. Born– September 20, 1935, in Miami, Fla. Education– West Virginia State College, B. S., 1956; University of Illinois, M.S., 1957. Librarian, Tuskegee Institute, 1957-. Member– American, Catholic and Alabama Library Associations. Source: Who’s Who in Library Science. Publication(s): The Freedom Rides; a Bibliography, 1961. Tuskegee, Ala.; Hollis Burke Frissell Library, Tuskegee Institute, 1962.…

Biography: Journalist. Born– May 27, 1884, in Montgomery, Ala. Education– University of Alabama. Wrote for Montgomery Advertiser, 1907; Birmingham News; Birmingham Age Herald; New Orleans State; Mobile Register; Chicago Examiner; Chicago Inter-Ocean; St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Atlanta Constitution; Atlanta Georgian; Atlanta Journal, editorial staff, -1929. Wrote column “A Boy in Old Montgomery”, Montgomery Advertiser. U.S. Army,…

Biography: Teacher. Born– July 23, 1927, in Laurium, Mich. Education– Northern Michigan University, B.A., 1950; University of Michigan, M.A., 1953; University of Texas, Ph.D., 1970; AYI Fellow, University of Texas, 1957-1958. Taught at high schools in Michigan, 1950-1953; Northern Michigan University, 1963-1965; National Teachers College, Uganda, 1965-1967; Auburn University, 1970-. Member– American Association of Community…