Will Parr inducted into OAPB Hall of Fame
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Longtime southern Ohio radio broadcaster Willard Parr has been inducted into the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Known as “The Voice” of WSRW Radio for more than five decades, Parr received the honor at the Ohio AP Broadcasters 2009 convention at the The Hilton at Easton Town Center in Columbus.
Parr was inducted into the Hall of Fame “for serving with exceptional distinction and honor, and upholding the highest ideals of broadcast journalism.”
“For an old Country Boy from southern Highland County, this is quite an honor,” Parr told The Highland County Press.
Parr said he began his career in radio broadcasting in January 1956.
“I was a police officer and the president of the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) and I had to represent the police at a city council meeting,” Parr said.
“Dave Winslow happened to be there. He had made a presentation to council that he wanted to build a local radio station. He approached me and said I had the voice for radio. He hired me that night after a city council meeting.”
Parr said he continued to serve on the police department, while “laying block and stringing wire” for the new radio station on Route 247, just south of town.
“From 1956-65, I worked part-time at the radio station, 1590 AM, and worked full-time on the police force,” Parr said.
“Since 1965, I have worked full-time for the station.”
Parr, who has received numerous awards for excellence in broadcasting, said he has been told that he’s the longest-serving broadcaster with the same radio station who is still on the air.
A celebration was held a few years ago outside the Highland County Courthouse celebrating Parr’s first 50 years on WSRW Radio.
According to Doug Whiteman, Ohio Broadcast editor, Parr was nominated for induction into the AP Broadcasters Hall of Fame by his fellow broadcasters from around the state.
“It is a great honor,” Parr said. “Who could have imagined it?”[[In-content Ad]]
Known as “The Voice” of WSRW Radio for more than five decades, Parr received the honor at the Ohio AP Broadcasters 2009 convention at the The Hilton at Easton Town Center in Columbus.
Parr was inducted into the Hall of Fame “for serving with exceptional distinction and honor, and upholding the highest ideals of broadcast journalism.”
“For an old Country Boy from southern Highland County, this is quite an honor,” Parr told The Highland County Press.
Parr said he began his career in radio broadcasting in January 1956.
“I was a police officer and the president of the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) and I had to represent the police at a city council meeting,” Parr said.
“Dave Winslow happened to be there. He had made a presentation to council that he wanted to build a local radio station. He approached me and said I had the voice for radio. He hired me that night after a city council meeting.”
Parr said he continued to serve on the police department, while “laying block and stringing wire” for the new radio station on Route 247, just south of town.
“From 1956-65, I worked part-time at the radio station, 1590 AM, and worked full-time on the police force,” Parr said.
“Since 1965, I have worked full-time for the station.”
Parr, who has received numerous awards for excellence in broadcasting, said he has been told that he’s the longest-serving broadcaster with the same radio station who is still on the air.
A celebration was held a few years ago outside the Highland County Courthouse celebrating Parr’s first 50 years on WSRW Radio.
According to Doug Whiteman, Ohio Broadcast editor, Parr was nominated for induction into the AP Broadcasters Hall of Fame by his fellow broadcasters from around the state.
“It is a great honor,” Parr said. “Who could have imagined it?”[[In-content Ad]]