Montgomeryâs first African American veterinarian dies at 80 Dr. Edward Donald Willis, the first African American veterinarian to practice and own an animal hospital in Montgomery, has died at age 80. (Source: Willis family) By Valorie Lawson | March 16, 2021 at 6:14 PM CDT - Updated March 16 at 6:14 PM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Funeral services were held Saturday for Dr. Edward Donald Willis, the first African American veterinarian to practice and own an animal hospital in Montgomery.
Willis was born on Aug. 17, 1940, the sixth of seven children born to the late Isaac Eugene Willis and Rosetta Gordon Willis of Selma.
Willis graduated from Hudson High School at age 16, received an undergraduate degree from Tuskegee Institute in 1961 and earned his doctorate from the universityâs School of Veterinary Medicine in 1966.