Willie Melton Sr. was born in 1900 in Kendleton, Texas. He was committed to serving his community and became a voice for others. He attended Powell Point High School in 1919 and graduated as Valedictorian with honors.  

Mr. Melton was a successful farmer and expert in animal husbandry. While at the forefront of agricultural innovations, he was known as the “Watermelon King” for growing watermelons, which were sent to the United States President every year. He served in numerous positions in various organizations throughout his life, including: 

Board of Education of Kendleton ISD, President 
Masonic Lodge (Roosevelt No. 8) 
American Woodsman of The World 
Democratic County Convention Precinct No. 2, Chairman 
Texas Navy, Honorary Admiral 
Fort Bend and Wharton Counties NAACP, President 
Precinct No. 2, Election Judge 
Fort Bend County Civic Club, President and Founding Member 

Mr. Melton is remembered for his role in the 1953 Supreme Court case “Terry v. Adams.” For decades, politics was controlled by the all-white political club known as the Jaybird Assocation, which barred non-white voters from participating in the Democratic pre-primary elections. Along with Arizona Fleming, he gathered supporters and filed this lawsuit using personal funds and donations. The Supreme Court eventually ruled in their favor on May 4, 1953, and many attended a celebration in Kendleton, Texas. 

In 2011, a historical marker describing the “Terry vs. Adams” case was installed on what is now Willie Melton Boulevard next to the Kendleton Post Office. Mr. Melton lived to fulfill his mission of making life better for others and will always be remembered.