Hall of Fame broadcaster Willard Parr passed away Monday night at the age of 94.
Parr was the first voice heard on Hillsboro radio station WSRW when the station signed on the air July 15th of 1956, and his voice would boom across the airwaves throughout southern Ohio for 62 years, until his retirement on October 31st of 2018.
His career influenced many thousands of listeners over the decades, including many who would get into the broadcast industry years later. Parr was known to some of the greats of country music and was well-known at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Prior to radio, Parr was a sergeant in the Hillsboro Police Department.
Funeral services will take place privately this Saturday at Turner & Son Funeral Home with burial to follow at Barnes Cemetery.
A public visitation however will be held May 22nd between 4pm-7pm at Turner & Son Funeral Home.