Mr. Willie Walter Hereford was born December 21, 1932, in Huntsville, Alabama to the late Willie W. Hereford Sr. and Mattie Lee Hereford, who both preceded him in death.
On Thursday, January 11th, “Pop’s Hereford”, as he was affectionately known, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Pop’s Hereford was preceded in death by his sister Margaret Catherine McDonald and brother, Alfred Lee Hereford.
Who Was Willie Walter Hereford?
He was a family man. A father, brother, uncle, cousin and a friend to many.
In his younger days, he was a businessman who owned and operated his own cab station for eighteen years. He owned three cabs providing transportation to those who couldn’t afford his service. Mr. Hereford later went into landscaping and house painting until he retired and turned the business over to his brother Alfred. Later, he met Stella Hartfield and they married on August 8, 1958. To this union they had one son, Terrial Marshall Hereford. Unfortunately, this union did not last and they went their separate ways but remained cordial through the years. Later, Pop’s Hereford met Ms. Mary Louise Parks and to this union they had a son, Jimmy Joe Parks.
Mr. Hereford was a leader, an advisor, a mentor, and a counselor. He was an advocate for civil rights in which he participated in marches in Huntsville, Birmingham, Selma and
Mobile. He had the opportunity to meet Dr. Martin Luther King on his visit to Oakwood College. On August 26, 2004 Mr. Hereford received “The City of Huntsville Resolution” that was adopted and approved by the Huntsville City Council and Mayor of the City of Huntsville, Alabama who acknowledged Mr. Willie Walter Hereford for the outstanding example of his life of dedication to his beliefs and as an inspiration to his community.
Mr. Hereford was a voter registration advocate. He was recognized by the City of Huntsville and the Mayor of the City of Huntsville for his 29 plus years of service registering voters and assisting them to the polls. During the last presidential election, Mr. Hereford helped register over two thousand new voters. Mr. Hereford believed if you put God first in life, become a registered voter, do the right thing you will definitely make a difference in your community.
Mr. Hereford was a voice for the children who appealed to the community year-round especially during the Christmas season to ensure that every child in the public housing subdivisions had something to eat, clothes to wear and a toy or something under the tree.
Mr. Hereford was an advocate for change and he was elected as the President of the Tenants Association for many years. He wanted a better and safer environment for the community where the children could go outside and play, and the elderly could sit on their front porch and not be in fear of being harmed in any way. Mr. Hereford attended and hosted Town Hall meetings. He met with City officials, often traveling to Montgomery, Alabama pleading for change in his community.
After several years of hard work, the name was changed from Mason Court to Sparkman Homes. The despair that was once felt became hope, promise and a place where families could sit outside and watch the children play and feel safe. Because of Mr. Hereford’s dedication and commitment, he earned the title by many as “The Mayor of Mason Court”. On his 80th birthday, Willie Hereford was presented a “Key to the City” by Mr. Tommy Battle, the Major of Huntsville.
Mr. Hereford received several awards which included the Empowerment Award presented by the NAACP Branch, August 10, 2006, Alice E. Sims, President.
Mr. Hereford was featured in the Speakin’ Out News, March 18-24, 2015, as the President of Sparkman Homes Residence Council. On February 21, 2019, the Legal Services Alabama presented Mr. Willie Hereford with a plaque recognizing him for 15 years of dedicated service as a member of the Board of Directors. In recognitions of his dedicated service,
“Willie Hereford Client Service Center” office was named which is located inside the Legal Services Alabama building.
We could go on and on with the accomplishments that Mr., Hereford earned but the one he we most proud of with his relationship with Jesus Christ. Mr. Willie W. Hereford was a man of God who confessed hope in Jesus Christ at an early age. He was affiliated with several churches before planting his roots at Phillip’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Huntsville where he served in many capacities until his health began to fail.
One of Mr. Hereford’s favorite scriptures was “And He opened His mouth and taught them saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 5:2-3. One of his favorite songs was “I’ll Fly Away” and if you ask him how he was doing he would respond ” I’M MOVING ON UP”. Mr. Hereford loved his family, church family and the community. He took pride in singing in the Male Chorus and helping all those he could.
Mr. Hereford is survived by his children: Terrial Marshal Hereford (Cynthia), and Jimmy Parks (Renita); grandchildren: Jeramie Battle (Carla), Kaneshia & and Christorpher Burruss, all of Huntsville; great-grandchildren are Chandler, Auri and Addisyn Battle of Huntsville; and nephews, godson Tony Murry (Mary); special friend Ms. Gwendolyn Binford and a host of other family, cousins and friends.
Funeral service will be 11:00 am Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Phillips Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (2185 Winchester Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35810) with Pastor Gregory Scott officiating. Interment will be in the Valhalla Memory Gardens. Mr. Hereford will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Hereford family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2024, at the Royal Chapel of Memories.
Public viewing will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2024, and 8:30 until 9:00 a.m., Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Royal Funeral Home.
