Who is Charles Willig?

A special reading area of the Jay C. Byers Memorial Library is named in memory of another graduate of the Cleveland High School Class of 1955 — Charles Loyd Willig.

Dr. Willig, who came from very modest beginnings, developed a love of literature and poetry that would become his life’s work.

Well known as an excellent poet, Dr. Willig made many contributions, including the founding and directing of the Sandhills Writers’ Conference at Augusta College

He received his B.S.and M.S. degrees from Oklahoma State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Tulsa in 1970. Dr. Willig taught at colleges in Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri and Liverpool, England and, at the time of his death in 1993, was Professor of English at Augusta College, Augusta, Georgia.

Well known as an excellent poet, Dr. Willig made many contributions, including the founding and directing of the Sandhills Writers’ Conference at Augusta College. Along with a colleague, Dr. Willig founded the Sand Hills magazine and a literary competition.

In a hardbound copy of Sand Hills literature, which was dedicated to Dr. Willig, is inscribed these words, “an excellent poet, insightful editor, brilliant storyteller, who has helped generations of students discover and realize their talents.”