Dr. Alphonso Willis was a premier student at Earl Travillion Attendance Center. He entered Tougaloo College after his junior year in high school, where he graduated in three years, summa cum laude, with a degree in chemistry. Four years later, he received his medical degree from Harvard University. He was commissioned an Army captain and spent ten years in the Army Medical Corps. In 1997, he returned to Hattiesburg and practiced medical oncology at the Cancer Center until his retirement.
Percy W. Watson graduated from Rowan High School as valedictorian of his class. Watson earned a full scholarship to the University of Iowa, where he graduated after three years with a B. A. in political science and went on to attend the University of Iowa College of Law, receiving his J. D. in just two years. After practicing law for a few years in Alaska, Watson moved back to Hattiesburg to establish the Watson Law Firm. In addition, he is a longtime member of the Mississippi House of Representatives for the 103rd District.
Johnny Lee Williams is a retired attorney and Senior Chancery judge. He was appointed to the 10th Chancery District of Mississippi by Governor Kirk Fordice in 1996 and remained until his retirement in 2018. A respected community leader, Williams has served on numerous boards and community groups, as well as pastor of Truelight Missionary Baptist Church.
