Adam Henig - Watergates Forgotten Hero: Frank Wills, Night Watchman

Most biographers will tell you they spend more time researching than writing. Even with the advancements in technology and Internet search engines, we are still dependent on others to provide us with information.

The material in my book would not be as rich in detail without the help of the following individuals and institutions: Carol Waggoner-Angleton (Augusta University); Carolyn Chun (California State University, East Bay); FBI archives; Lauren Acker (Department of History and Geography, Georgia College); Lisa L. Denmark (Department of History, Georgia Southern University); Rick Watson and Diana S. Leite (Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin); Independent Researcher Rebekah Dobrasko; Jennifer Roesch (John F. Kennedy Presidential Library); Lewis Wyman (Library of Congress); Corey Rogers (Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Augusta, Georgia); Mena-Keona S. Nokes-Drake, Tab Lewis, and Abigail Malangone (National Archives and Records Administration); Kristen Newby (Ohio History Center); Felicia Parker-Cox (Office of Representative Dwight Evans, PA-03); Alana Lewis (Paine College, Augusta, Georgia); Library staff (Department of Special Research Collections, University of California, Santa Barbara); Steve Batt and Betsy Pittman (Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, Archives & Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library); Stacey Wiens (Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Libraries); Georgia Historical Society; Kate Moore and Graham Duncan (Hollings Special Collections Library, University of South Carolina); Vanderbilt Television News Archive staff.

I am especially grateful to Honey Ryan, a Savannah-based researcher, who tracked down Frank Wills home address in a 1948 city phone directory, accessed Wills social security card application and death certificate, and provided critical information about his childhood. Also, thank you to City of Savannah Research Library & Municipal Archives Director Luciana Spracher, who put me in touch with Ms. Ryan.

For insight on Wills early years in Savannah, I am indebted to Savannah-based author and historian Martha Keber, who connected me with Lindsay Resnick of Cuba Family Archives for Southern Jewish History, which eventually led to Lee Shonfield, whose family employed Wills mother. A special thank you to Martha and Lindsay, and especially to Lee, who shared his memories of Frankie and his mother Margie, helping me to understand better Wills formative years.

If personal papers and official records serve to fill the missing gaps in a biography, the personal interview helps bring the subject to life. Many of the interviews I conducted came about because of the willingness and effort of one person, Wayne OBryant. OBryant was invaluable providing access to Wills family and friends. Aiken County Historical Museum Director Brenda Baratto graciously introduced me to OBryant, who lined up several interviews for my visit to North Augusta, Wills hometown. Not only was OBryant my conduit into Franks past, but his insight into Wills and the community he grew up in was invaluable. I am grateful to those who took time out of their day to sit down for an interview: Stephanie Coleman, Cathy and Reco Grant, Mallory Millender, Martez Mims, William Mims, Mary Newsome, Pamela Oliver, Austin Rhodes, Preston Sykes, Carrie Williams, Eugene Williams, and Eddie and Shirley Wills. JoAnn Hooper, Franks girlfriend, neighbor, and mother of his daughter, was especially helpful in providing an honest portrayal of her best friend.

In addition, there were several people who shared their recollections of Wills by phone or through email: Paul Brock, Bruce Givner, Professor Nathaniel Irvin, Jr., Professor Martha Keber, Don Rhodes, and Walter B. Simmons. I also want to thank Carol McCabe Booker, widow of journalist Simeon Booker. Although she never met Frank Wills, her late husband, Simeon, penned numerous articles about him for JET magazine. Carol generously provided me exclusive access to Simeons papers as well as her editorial pen. A thank you to James West, who put me in touch with Ms. Booker.

For their encouraging comments and detection of either stylistic or factual blunders, I am indebted to Cathy Curtis, Don Rhodes, Herb Boyd, John A. Farrell, Joseph Rodota, Kathy Schienle (a thank you to Rosemarie Robotham for recommending Kathy), Nell Boeschenstein, and WiseInk Creative Publishings Graham Warnken. And to the talented JaQwan Kelly, who would be an ideal candidate to portray Frank Wills in a full-length biopic, I am thankful for his enthusiastic support.

For being supportive and always curious about my literary progress, I am truly grateful to my family: My sisters, Jennifer and Rebecca, and their husbands, Russ and Matt, and my four nieces; my in-laws Frank and Evelyn Muro; my brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their families. Also, for their interest and encouragement, I would like to acknowledge my co-workers, lifelong friends, and neighbors. Lastly, and certainly not least, I am indebted beyond words to my wife, Jennifer, and our two boys, Jacob and Alex, future bibliophiles; they are my rock and reason for getting up every morning.