William D. Neill, Jr. was born
to the late William and Lena Neill, Sr. in the Carvers Creek
Community, Council, North Carolina. He is a graduate of East
Arcadia High School, Class of 1947. He attended A&T State
University and graduated in 1951 with a degree in Agricultural
Education and a minor in Science, Speech and ROTC, with a
2 nd Lieutenant Commission. After graduating, he accepted
a job as a veteran teacher at Bladen Central High School
and later became their agricultural teacher.
In 1952, he was called to duty during the Korean Conflict
and graduated from the Army War College at Fort Benning,
Georgia with a diploma in Army Administration. He was sent
to Camp Rucker as a Company Commander. Six months later he
was promoted to 1 st Lieutenant and transferred to war. In
1956, he received an Honorable Discharge and returned to
Bladen County and accepted employment with the Bladen County
School System and set up the first Agricultural Program at
Spaulding Monroe High School in a very cooperative community.
While at Spaulding Monroe he was elected Treasurer of R.R.
Taylor Federation. He also served as president of the Bladen
County Teacher’s Association.
In 1969, he was transferred to Booker T. Washington
High School, Clarkton, North Carolina as the Agricultural
Teacher. While at Clarkton, he served as president of the
(NCVATA) North Carolina Vocational Agricultural Teacher Association
and Vice-President of the American Vocational Association
covering five states. While serving in the above positions,
he served as a consultant for Ford Motor Company, Allis Chamblin
and the International Tractor Division, to aid in the development
of roll bars on tractors and guards on moving parts to make
it safer for operators.
Later he was elected Vice-President and then President
of the merged North Carolina Agriculture Teacher Association.
He served more than 13,000 members, including the community
colleges as NCVATA president for North Carolina.
In 1971, he was transferred to Clarkton High School
as an Agricultural Mechanics Teacher. He served in this capacity
until retirement. He has taught at Bladen Community College,
School of Extended Hope, and the State Prison System.
In Bladen County, he was selected as one of the members
to help secure Southeastern Community College, Whiteville,
NC and Bladen Community College, Dublin, NC.
In 1974, he authored and published a book titled “ Wake
Up America” with more than 250,000 copies used
in many colleges.
He was a consultant for the University of Wisconsin
for Adult Education and a consultant for the University of Georgia
for Small Engines Safety (placing colored emblems on slow moving
vehicles).
Recognition and Awards:
- NCV Association Leadership Award
- NCAE Leadership Award
- Honorary American Farmer Leadership Award
- Honorary State Farmers Degree (Future Farmers of
America)
- Honorary American Farmer Degree (Future Farmers
of America)
- National Vocational Association Vice-President
- National Vocational Association Leadership Award
- Teacher of Teachers Award (Master Teacher)
- Rosa
Parks Wall of Tolerance Award
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William
D. Neill, Jr. 
