Willie was the first African American School Superintendent in Cherokee County. He is proud of his educational attainment that includes both a master's degree and doctorate from the University of South Carolina.

Willie is now a retired school administrator, yet he is more active in helping to educate students and potential administrators now than before retiring.

Willie currently works as Executive Director of Piedmont Community Actions in Spartanburg where the agency is responsible for Head Start programs in Spartanburg and Cherokee counties.

Willie is an adjunct professor of Educational Leadership for South Carolina State University at the University Center in Greenville where he works primarily with preparing minority principals and school superintendents.

Willie is also the Basileus of the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a member of the Spartanburg Human Relations Commission and volunteers on many boards that work with education, youth leadership, self sufficiency and senior citizens.

For his active participation in improving education, 107.3 JAMZ is proud to salute Dr. Willie Ross, Jr. as a 2008 Upstate Black History Maker.