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April 11-
Out West- NC Angus Assn.- Yadkinville, NC

April 25-
Quest for Excellence- Mike Gillispie Farm- Dobson, NC

Billy McLeod

At the intersection of Highway 15 and 521 one can see what represents Billy McLeod. On the northeast corner stand a Piggly Wiggly and a statue of a Black Angus cow.

Born February 24, 1931, William Richard “Billy” McLeod graduated from Edmunds High School in 1949 and the University of South Carolina in 1954. After graduation, he entered the United States Air Force. While he was stationed in Texas his interest in cattle began to grow. He resided on a cattle ranch during his stay in the lone star state, where he assisted in ranch operations before and after his duties on the Air Force base. But in 1955, his father died at the age of 45.

Billy, then 25, returned home from his U.S. Air Force assignment to run the family business which consisted of two grocery stores. He immediately took over in place of his late father and transformed the business into a successful and thriving corporation which currently consists of 12 Piggly Wiggly stores. Billy has become an accomplished entrepreneur recognized for his sound business decisions and philanthropy in his community.

In 1957, he purchased 3 Angus heifers and Black Crest Farms was formed. Throughout the years there have been numerous breeds on the farm, but Black Angus have remained the one constant.

Today the farm consists of about 5000 acres of row crops such as corn, cotton, peanuts, soybeans and wheat, pastures and hay fields.

In addition to raising cattle and crops Billy also raised 3 children, Ricky and Mark McLeod and Melissa Bradshaw. They have blessed him with five grandchildren.

Billy’s son Mark handles the row crops and son Ricky manages the daily operations of the grocery stores.

The Black Crest Angus herd has been in existence for 52 years. During this time Billy has developed an exceptional herd in South Carolina and has purchased cattle from across the United States in an effort to improve their genetics. Currently the herd consists of about 500 Angus cows and heifers and around 200 commercial cows.

Black Crest Farm compliments its intensive AI program with a herd sire lineup from the top Angus programs in the nation including the famous Papa Durabull. Equal emphasis is placed on the Embryo Transfer program which produces a large percentage of the calf crop.

The cattle have been shown at both county and state fairs over the years winning numerous awards. Black Crest has a performance tested Angus bull and female sale each year. As well as consigning cattle from the top of the herd to the SC Angus Futurity. In 2008, Billy had the top-indexing Angus senior bull and the top indexing Angus junior bull at the Clemson Bull Test sale.

He is a lifetime member of the South Carolina Angus Association and has served on the Board of Directors for the Association. He has been a long-time, consistent and generous supporter of the South Carolina Junior Angus Association. In 1999, the SCAA dedicated the Carolina Futurity to Billy McLeod for his contribution and service to the SC Angus Association.

In recognition of his over 50 years of breeding Angus cattle and contributions to the SC Angus Association, it is my sincere pleasure to announce Billy McLeod’s induction to the SC Angus Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

Walter Shealy presented these remarks at the SCAA annual meeting and banquet on March 20, 2009 at Tucker’s Restaurant in Anderson, S.C.

Bill Albritton

Bill Albritton was born in Camden, Arkansas in 1938. He was involved in the cattle business since childhood. While in high school he was a member of FFA and 4-H. After high school Bill went to work for the B.T. Fokes Angus herd in Mississippi.

Bill & Sue got married and went on the have three children – two daughters Irene and Rose Marie and “Stump,” their son. In 1966 he and his wife Sue moved to Aiken to manage Longleaf Plantation for the Goodyear family and help build it into national prominence.

During this time Bill and his team including his younger brother Jud built one of the top show strings in the county showing cattle throughout the country including in Denver and at the International shows.

In the early days of the SC Futurity consignors were required to fit and show all entries. In 1968 Bill won fitting and Grand Champion. He later repeated the feat at the 14th, 15th and 16th Futurities. Bill dispersed the Longleaf herd in 1970. After Longleaf Bill went to Semenia Farm in GA until 1981.

In 1982-1986 he and the family returned to SC, moving to Lancaster to run Mel-Co where they developed a sophisticated embryo transplant program. His success continued in the show ring with the famous triple-crown winner Graham Lucky Lady.

Bill and Sue then moved to work with Billy McLeod before heading to Virginia and ultimately to Sandy Creek in Alabama before Bill passed away in 1992.

While in SC, Bill served as a Director of the SC Angus Association and was a great supporter of the junior program. Bill, Sue & Jud and the children developed life-long friendships with many of you in this room.

This was evident when I called Jud and one of the first things he asked was how is Miss Evelyn, Ted Bartee, the Owens family, the Browns and the McPhails.

When Bill passed away the Jr. Association honored him by establishing a special fund in his name.

In recognition of his outstanding career and contribution to the Angus breed it is my privilege to present to you Bill Albritton for introduction to the SC Angus Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

Remarks given by Walter Shealy on March 20, 2009 for the SCAA banquet and annual meeting at Tucker’s Restaurant in Anderson, S.C.