Willie is a retired Army NCO after 20 years of service. He served tours in three foreign countries and spent most of his army career at Fort Bragg, N.C. Willie grew up at Wilmington, N.C in a family, which had a horrible secret. An incident, which was kept as a secret among the older children and adults of his family, occurred at Willie's maternal grandparents' farm when he was two years old. Willie's father would never forgive his father in law or Willie's maternal grandfather for what occurred on the farm. On occasions, Willie's father transferred all of the anger and hatred that he had for Willie's maternal grandfather to Willie's mother and his children, which included Willie. The author's father neglected his family and provided them with the minimal in regards to clothing and food. No doubt,  Willie's father was motivated by revenge on occasions, which he exacted by demeaning and depriving his wife and children. Willie decided that he would write a book about his experiences to show the world that violence creates firestorms of anger, personal suffering, and generational burdens, which are carried both by the persons who created the violence, the families of their victims and their own families. In Willie's true story, his family's secret set the stage for a series of tragic events over time, which seemed to be retribution for the wrong that was done on Willie's maternal grand parent's farm. Though Willie suffered for a score of years in his father's household, he channeled his troubles and anguish into positive desires to excel despite the odds. His is a true rags to riches story, when comparing where Willie came from and where he is at now in regards to his amazing achievements. Starting at age six when he harvested crops at farms to earn money to improve his living conditions, academic success at school, a successful twenty year stint in the military, college academic achievement, and prestigious career jobs as a police officer, investigator and now school teacher, Willie proved that a terrible past does not hamper one's success.  Willie has decided that during this year, 2009, he will increase his public speaking engagements substantially to reach out to potential youth and adult offenders. To discuss with them the devastation that violence brings and encourage potential  adult offenders to refrain from violence and forgive those that have committed acts of violence against them and or their families.  Willie will encourage people to thrive for success and discuss that a terrible past does not hamper one's ambitions for success.  

Two Army meritorious service medals, three Army Commendation Medal and a variety of other medals. Magna Cum Laude-Associates Degree, Police Science; Bachelors Degree, Criminal Justice; Honor Graduate, Military Police Investigations Course; Honor Graduate, Advanced Non Commissioned Officer's course. Graduate of Air Assault School..