Carol Willis was born in McGehee, Arkansas, on August 26, 1949. Willis graduated from Philander Smith College before enrolling at the University of Arkansas Law School, where he first met Bill Clinton, beginning a longstanding association. After completing his law degree at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Willis would serve as one of Clinton’s most trusted aides as he entered state politics, ran for state governor, and eventually ascended to the White House. Willis was widely credited in helping to galvanize Black voters to support Clinton in his many electoral campaigns. In 2018, the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus awarded Willis a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Carol Willis died on September 4, 2018.
#1: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Carol Willis; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#2: Carol Willis (from right) with Governor Bill Clinton, Rodney Slater, Bob Nash, and Mahlon Martin, 1987
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: Carol Willis (center) with Bob Nash and Louis James, 1992
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#4: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Carol Willis; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#5: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Carol Willis; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#6: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Carol Willis; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#7: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Carol Willis; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#8: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Carol Willis; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#9: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Carol Willis; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
