KCA Names 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees
Five deserving cattlemen were honored during this year’s Evening Banquet at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention in Lexington, KY. Gary Woodall, Kenneth Lowe, Tom McGinnis, Charles Wills and Dr. David Williams were the association’s 2022 Hall of Fame inductees.
Gary Woodall has owned and managed commercial cattle since childhood but started Woodall Angus Farm in 1980. It is a registered Angus seed stock operation selling over 100 bulls yearly across KY and the southeast. Woodall has been active in his county association and has sponsored and hosted many agricultural field days and educational events on his farm. He was KCA President in 2015 and has served on several committees during his time at the state level. He was the 2015 Kentucky Angus Association Performance Breeder of the Year, 2008 Logan County Chamber of Commerce Farm Family of the Year, and 2010 Logan County Extension Service Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Woodall was instrumental in the establishment of New Life Baptist Church and has served as an elder since its inception in 2005. Gary is married to his wife, Aubrietta and they have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.
Kenneth Lowe has been operating a Purebred Angus operation, Oak Hollow Angus, in Warren County for 41 years. He is a 7th generation cattle farmer. He received his B.S. in Animal Science from Western Kentucky University. He was President of the Warren County Cattlemen’s for 20 years and hosted multiple educational fields days for local, regional and state cattlemen. He also hosted several University classes and livestock judging teams. He was President of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association in 1994 and worked on committees for NCBA and was on the Board of Directors for the Meat Export Federation. He has been awarded the American Angus Association Largest KY Angus breeder for several years, the Kentucky Seedstock Producer of the Year and the Kentucky Angus Association Performance Breeder of the Year. He has been married for 35 years to his wife Theresa and they have one son, Joe, who also works on the family farm.
Tom McGinnis raises Purebred Angus cattle in Shelby County. Heritage Farm raised 200+ head of cattle and started in 1996. Tom is an avid supporter of youth livestock projects and the Angus breed. He has been a buyer at the local youth livestock auction since it began in 1997. He has been a sponsor of meals and activities for 4-H, cattlemen, Extension and other local agriculture organizations. He has also hosted several events at his farm including Great Meadows Angus Association sales. Tom served in the United State Army in Vietnam in 1967-68 and went on to receive his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky. His kindness and generosity are huge assets in the Shelby County Community but he is very humble and finds joy in the success of others over himself. He is married to his wife, Pam and has two children and 3 grandchildren.
Region 4 winner Charles Wills purchased a 155 acre farm from his grandfather in 1960. He later added acreage and started cattle farming in the early 1970’s. He became a premier backgrounder of heifers. He always opened up his farm to novices and those interested in getting in the cattle business. He is a charter member of the Montgomery County Cattlemen’s Association and served for 2 years as President. He was instrumental in recruiting and retaining over 650 members annually. He served as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and was promoted to Captain during the Korean Conflict. He returned and was a teacher and principal for 36 years. Mr. Wills still runs his cattle operation with the help of his two grandsons, is a respected member of his community and is active in his church. He was married to his wife for 62 years and has two children and 3 grandchildren.
Dr. David Williams is the Owner/President of Burkmann Industries, Inc, that owns and operates 13 animal feed manufacturing plants and 17 retail locations throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. He also owns Forever Spring Farm in Danville, KY. Dr. Williams has provided Kentucky farmers nutritional support and feed products for over 42 years. He has served in numerous positions over the years, including Kentucky Cattlemen’s Foundation Chairman, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Treasurer, and a member of the Kentucky State Fair Board. He has spent the last 47 years supporting and being a resource to Kentucky farm families. He began his career in the Kentucky Extension Service and his passion for agriculture education has continued throughout his career. He has been very active in the Boyle County community sitting on Boards and donating to programs like the Backpacks for Kids program. He is very active in his church serving as Deacon, Treasurer and Sunday school teacher. His advice and mentorship to so many in the state is second to none. He received his B.S and M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky and his Ph.D from Iowa State University in Animal Nutrition. He has been married to his wife, Betty-Gayle for 53 years and has two children and 4 grandchildren.
The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association would like to congratulate all of these deserving individuals for their years of service and numerous contributions to the agriculture industry. Videos of the 2022 inductees can be viewed on the KCA Youtube and Facebook pages. Applications are now being taken for the 2023 KCA Hall of Fame. Call the office for more details at 859-278-0899.
Contact: Carey Brown, KCA
859-278-0899 or cbrown@kycattle.org
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