CA-004 Houseal Collection

CA-004 Houseal Collection

 

Biography of Dr. Willie Houseal


Dr. Willie Houseal was born in Valdosta, Georgia, where he matriculated in the Valdosta City School system. He received a bachelor's degree in Sociology from St. Leo College; a master’s in human resource management from Pepperdine University; a master's and a Specialist Degree in Education from Valdosta State University; and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.


Mr. Houseal served in the United States Air Force for over 10 years, including a one-year tour in Vietnam (1970-71) with the 19th Technical Air Support Specialist Reconnaissance Team. He spent 27 years in public education, including roles as a teacher/tutor in Lowndes County Schools, an administrator and principal in Brooks County Schools, where he retired in 2002. He was a Student Teacher Supervisor at Valdosta State University. After that, Mr. Houseal worked at Park University, MAFB Campus, for seven years as an adjunct professor and Interim Director. He served as City Councilman, District 1, from 1985-1989, and Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Valdosta in 1988. He is the author of two books: The Power of Self-Esteem and The Power of Positive Self-Esteem. He is an active member of the River Street Church of Christ and serves as a song leader and elder.

Community Service

  • Advocate for Wards and Districts voting system.
  • Participant in the Valdosta-Lowndes Leadership Academy.
  • Served on the Valdosta-Lowndes County Zoning Board of Appeals.
  • Community Partner in Education with Valdosta City Schools.
  • Chairman of the historic Pinevale High School Alumni Association Inc.
  • Charter member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee.

Mr. Houseal has received the following accolades for his significant contributions to the community: Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition (2002), MLK Achievement Award (2001); 100 Black Men Achievement Award (2000), and a City of Valdosta Proclamation for literary work (1999). Houseal has a street named in his honor: Willie Houseal Drive, and he was recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives under House Resolution 1016 for outstanding community service on March 15, 2022.


Dr. Houseal is married to Cleopatra, and they are the parents of three children: Willie Jr., Terry, and Yorshia.

Collections in this community

Recent Submissions

  • Houseal Moves Into Hotter Politics: District 1 Councilman Expects Heavy Scrutinization 
    Sellers, Richard (Valdosta Daily Times, 1985-02-17)
    Sellers, Roger. "Houseal Moves Into Hotter Politics: District 1 Councilman Expects Heavy Scrutinization," Valdosta Daily Times, February 17, 1985.
  • Houseal Elected Mayor Pro Tem 
    Rogers, Ernie (Valdosta Daily Times, 1987-03-06)
    Rogers, Ernie. "Houseal Elected Mayor Pro Tem," Valdosta Daily Times, 1987-03-06.
  • Pinevale High School 12th Alumni Reunion 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 2023-09-01)
    The document, dated September 1-3, 2023, is a Pinevale High School alumni reunion book. The book includes introductions from the Pinevale Alumni Association's Chairman, Dr. Willie Houseal, a reunion agenda, information ...
  • Pinevale High School Gym Plaque 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 2007-11-27)
    The scanned plaque, dated November 29 2007, includes a letter from the Valdosta City Schools Superintendent, Sam Allen, giving approval for a Pinevale Class of 1969 plaque. The plaque now placed in the old Pinevale High ...
  • Mrs. Artie Marshall's Home Economics class 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 1986)
    The scanned images are dated in 1968. They display students modeling outfits make in Mrs. Artie Marshall's Home Economics class at Pinevale High School. The photos were given to Dr. Houseal by Ms. Renae Marshall daughter ...
  • Jet: Valdosta, Ga. Elections, May 13, 1985 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 1985-05-13)
    The scanned Jet magazine, dated May 13, 1985, details an image of Willie Houseal and Bunnis Williams being sworn into Valdosta City Council with their wives. The description describes the change in voting systems that ...
  • Valdosta Map 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 1985)
    This document is a scanned image of a Valdosta map that includes the Southside.
  • Valdosta Area Black Achievers In Public Service, 1988 
    Unknown author (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 1988)
    The calendar, dated 1988, displays photos and biographies of successful and prominent African Americans in Valdosta. These individuals would include: Ruth Kimball, Willie Houseal, Joseph "Sonny" Vickers, Bunnis C. Williams, ...
  • Three decades later, individuals recall changing the area's voting system, February 24, 2013 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 2013-02-24)
    The newspaper, dated February 24, 2013, reflects on 4 individuals, Tony Daniels, Lewis Gordon, Wanda Denson, and Willie Houseal, who helped change the Valdosta voting system from and at-large voting system to a ward system. ...
  • Honoring Juneteenth, Origin of the Holiday, June 18, 2023. 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 2023-06-18)
    The newspaper, dated June 18, 2023, was published by Valdosta Daily Times to highlight Juneteenth. Topics of the newspaper would include the origins of Juneteenth, local celebrations, and a timeline of Juneteenth celebrations.
  • Civil Action File No. CA-86-10 VAl, April 25, 1984 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 1984-04-25)
    The document, dated April 25, 1984, details Willie Houseal's affidavit for the Civil Action Case No. CA-86-10-VAL. Houseal affidavit addresses topic like: his city council elections, serving on city council, and the Valdosta ...
  • Civil Action No. CA-89-06 VAL, January 11, 1989 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 1989-01-11)
    The document, dated January 11, 1989, describes the Civil Action case No. CA-89-06 VAL. This is a case formed by Michael David Apperson vs. the City of Valdosta and the Valdosta Police department. Apperson states that both ...
  • Civil Action No. 83-108 VAL (consolidated with 83- 106 VAL for discovery and trail), June 17, 1985 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collection, 1985-06-17)
    The document, dated June 17, 1985, is a legal document detailing Civil Action No. 83-108 VAL and Civil Action No. 83-106 VAL. This document includes topics like affidavits, Valdosta city council, voting systems, ward system, ...
  • Civil Action No. 83-108 VAL, 1983 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, 1983)
    The document, dated in 1983, is a legal document detailing the NAACP et al v. Tillman et al., Civil Action 83-108 VAL case. The Civil Action is based on the failure to represent the 1st, 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendment as ...
  • Minutes, Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council, March 7, 1985 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, 1985-03-07)
    The report, dated March 7, 1985, details the minutes form a regular Valdosta City Council meeting. The topics of the document includes: election results, administration of oaths of office, ordinance amending, rezoning, ...
  • Letter to Civil Action Participants from Todd Johnson, July 2, 1984 
    Unknown author (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, 1984-07-02)
    The letter, dated July 2, 1984, is addressed to the participants of the NAACP et al v. Tillman et al., Civil Action 83-108 VAL. from Todd Johnson. Johnson is updating the Civil Action participants of the opportunity of 6-8 ...
  • NAACP et al v. Tillman et al., Civil Action 83-108 VAL, April 17, 1984 
    Houseal, Willie H.; Houseal, Willie H.; Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, 1984-04-17)
    The letter, dated April 17, 1984, is addressed to the participants of the NAACP et al v. Tillman et al., Civil Action 83-108 VAL. The topic of the letter is to update negotiations in the Voting Rights Suit and on depositions ...
  • Letter to F. J. Smrcina from Willie Houseal, September 6, 1983 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, 1983-09-06)
    The letter, dated September 6, 1983, is addressed to Mr. F. J. Smrcina for Willie Houseal as the Executive Director of the Winnerville Coalition Consultants. The topics of the letter include, utilization of Lomax Facilities ...
  • Memorandum: Letter to Todd Johnson from Sam Matchett, August 18, 1983 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, 1983-08-18)
    The letter, dated August 18, 1983, is written by Todd Johnson the lead Council on the Valdosta Civil Action case, to Sam Matchett a summer intern. The document details voting strategy based on a conversation between Todd ...
  • Letter to Todd Johnson from George Talley, July 29, 1983 
    Houseal, Willie H. (Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, 1983-07-29)
    The letter, dated July 29, 1983, is addressed to Todd Johnson from George Talley. Talley is responding to the idea of a transition to a ward system for election of Mayor and Council in the City of Valdosta, additional ...

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