Published: October 08, 2008 12:03 am      

State NAACP to pay tribute to local leader

A local civil rights leader who died earlier this year is to be honored this week during the state convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

William P. “Bill” Glenn, 68, of Greenville, will be recognized during the Texas State NAACP’s 72nd annual convention, which begins today in San Antonio.

The organization has named Friday’s President’s Luncheon for Glenn, who was well known for his efforts with both the local and state level chapters of the NAACP, and who was also remembered for his military service and his involvement with the Greenville Independent School District, the Hunt Memorial Hospital District and many other organizations.

The luncheon is scheduled to feature Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins as the guest speaker, along with greetings from United States Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The luncheon will start with an introduction by Glenn’s daughter Willene and will include a slide show touching on many of Glenn’s accomplishments, including appearances on BET and CNN. Glenn was also active in calling for the 2000 murder in Rains County of H. W. Walker of Greenville to be considered as a hate crime, among many other high-profile cases.

Glenn was also known for his skills as a private detective, working alongside many of the area’s defense attorneys, and for his knowledge of the history of Greenville and Hunt County, filtered through a personal perspective. Glenn wrote a weekly column for the Herald-Banner each February, in honor of Black History Month.

Glenn held several posts with the NAACP, including as legal redress, the North East Texas State Regional Representative and as the second vice president at the state level.