P. A. Willmon Jr., D.C., 70th Keeler Recipient

I was born May 22, 1941, in Spur, Dickens County, Texas.  My parents were Pinkney Augusta and Bertha Ann Cooper Willmon.  I was the oldest of their children.  I have two older half siblings, and three younger siblings.  I grew up on the family farm at Afton, Texas.  I attended Patton Springs Schools.  Dad rented the Cotton land out.  He had a dairy and we raised hay for the cattle and sheep.  We raised Sudan Seed and sold each spring.  In school I was active in 4H and FFA.  I had show sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens and fairly heifers.  We hoed cotton in the summer and pulled cotton in the fall.

After high school, I attended Texas Chiropractic College in San Antonio graduating in 1965.  The last class to graduate from TCC in San Antonio.  I also attended South Plains Jr. College and San Antonio College.

After TCC, I married my wife, the former Carol Gay Perkins.  Carol’s brother, sister and brother in law were all Doctors of Chiropractic.  I worked for the Borden Company in San Antonio while attending college and joined the Army after graduation.  I spent the next three years (April 22, 1966 – April 21, 1969) in the U.S. Army.  I did basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana.  I came back to Fort Sam Houston, Texas and went to Medical Laboratory School.  I was assigned to the 21st Medical Depot, which was being readied for overseas deployment.  In March 1967, we deployed to Korat, Thailand.  While in Thailand, I worked at the 31st Field Hospital as a medical Laboratory specialist and assisted in performing post mortem examinations.  In March of 1968 I was reassigned to the 431st Medical Clearing Company at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where I spent the rest of my enlistment at Fort Sam Houston.

After getting out to the army I moved to Fort Worth, Texas and opened a practice.  My three children were born in Forth Worth.

We moved to Levelland, Texas on January 5, 1975.  I opened a practice on January 13, 1975 and continue to this day to practice in Levelland.

I had decided to become a Doctor of Chiropractic when I was in the fifth grade at Patton Springs.  My older Brother Dr. J. C. Willmon, graduated from TCC in 1949.  Dr. O. R. Cloud was our family chiropractor in Spur, Texas.  He influenced both of us to go to Chiropractic College.  Of course, our Dad was really pleased about our decision to be Doctors of Chiropractic.

I have been a member of TCA and ACA since I began practicing chiropractic.  I have served my profession on a local and state level.  While serving on all local offices in District 3 for several times.  I have been TCA board of Director from 1980-83 and again from 2001-05.  Dr. Wes Calwell was my mentor for these many duties and gave much encouragement especially on fund raising for Chiropractic projects, especially political.  I served as chairman of the TCA mid-winter seminars from 1980-2003.  While serving on various other committees.  I served on the South Plains Health Planning Board of Directors and executive committee and hired TCA health planning committee.

I am an active member of many civic activities and served in local and regional offices and as President several times as well as president.  The Jaycees, Lions Club, Level Land Youth Center, a Dare Chapter, Parents’ Club, Soccer Association, Soccer coach, Soccer referee, PTA, Team Doctor for sports, Health Board, 4H Adult Leader.  Many hours have been spent on local and regional political campaigns especially those supporting chiropractic.  It was my honor to have been selected as Young Chiropractor of the Year – 1981 and the President’s Award in 1989.

As an active family of fatih and devotion and leader in my church, teaching, singing, prayer, communion services, committee leader, my lovely wife Carol, has supported me in Chiropractic. She has served on the local and state level with the Texas Chiropractic Auxiliary and received the Auxiliary member of the year and the prestigious Kennedy Award.

At the 2003 Texas Chiropractic Association Convention at the Sheraton Grande Hotel in Dallas, I was  presented with the Keeler Plaque.  It was quite a surprise and an honor to be selected by my peers for such an award.  I am very humbled and thankful that I was allowed to serve the chiropractic profession in so many ways over the years.  I shall always cherish this award and the many friends that I have made in the profession.