William “Bill” Phillips, an 83-year-old former Marion County Extension Director, will become the newest member of the Marion County Agriculture Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony and banquet that will be held next month in Ocala.
The ceremony and banquet will take place on Thursday, November 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion located at 2232 NE Jacksonville Road in Ocala. This event is one of the planned activities for Farm City Week, which will be held from November 15 through November 22.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia on April 28, 1940, Phillips kicked off his career in agriculture in 1967 as a Marion County Extension agent for Horticulture, fruit crops, and commercial vegetables. He retired from that role in 1996.
During his tenure, he worked to establish a Freeze Warning Program with the latest weather information on freeze nights. He was also instrumental in establishing the Master Gardener program to assist residents in identifying and solving issues in their home gardens.
In addition, from 1996 to 2020, Phillips was the owner and operator of a 50-acre Citrus Grove.
Phillips served in many professional organizations, including the Florida Association of County Agriculture Agents, Marion County Farm Bureau, Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Florida State Horticulture Association, Salvation Army Board of Directors, and Southeastern Youth Fair Board. He is currently serving on the Advisory Board for the Marion County Extension Department and the Southeastern Youth Fair General Board.
Over the years, Phillips has received numerous awards from various organizations. In 1986, he was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award – Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents.
A decade later, in 1996, Phillips received the Public Broadcasting WMOP Award of Appreciation for 20 years of service. That same year, he received the Marion County Cattlemens Award of Gratitude for service, and he was also recognized with a proclamation for service from the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.
In 2005, the Southeastern Youth Fair was dedicated to Phillips.
During the upcoming ceremony and banquet on November 16th, Phillips’ achievements in agriculture will be commemorated with a bronze plaque as part of a permanent Hall of Fame exhibit in the foyer of the extension service auditorium. He will also be recognized with a Hall of Fame video that will be released during Farm City Week.
Tickets for the banquet are currently available online and range from $35 to $250.
Since 2003, the Marion County Agriculture Hall of Fame has recognized individuals who have made tremendous contributions to the furtherance of agriculture in the community. Previous Hall of Fame honorees include 33 men and three women who are credited for their advancement in Marion County’s agricultural history.
The growing list of Hall of Fame honorees includes Terry Teuton, Mark Shuffitt, Gus Gray, Jerry Arthur, Russ Randall, Bud Boyer, Jim Williams, Franklin “Frank” Walter Smith, Adolph “Al” Kunz, Harry Mangurian, Jr., Arlen Jumper, D.A. Lewis, Jr., Nathan Mayo, Michael and Joseph O’Farrell, Marilyn Grant, Kay Richardson, Bill Reese, Carey Robbins, E.L. Strickland, Carol Harris, Elmer Heubeck, Jo Ann Smith, James M. ‘Jimmie’ Glisson, Barnard Grant, Edsel W. Rowan, Charles Seiler, Jr., Dr. William R. Brawner, Jackson C. Dudley, Carl Rose, Ned H. Folks, O.D. “Buddy” Huff, Carl G. Rose, Leroy Baldwin, T. Richard Barber, Jr., Bonnie M. Heath II, Douglas H. Oswald, Robert Renner, David Baillie, Jr., and Marion Roche.
For more information on induction ceremony sponsorships or tickets, contact Patricia Nobles, Marion County Extension Director and Extension Agent III, M.Ed., via phone (352-671-8400) or email (noblesp@ufl.edu).