The Sellers family originally came to Alabama from North Carolina in the early 1900's, settling in Bullock County. Later a family home place was built near Ramer where Walt's father, Charles Edward "Bud" Sellers, was one of six children born there.

The Sellers family was early pioneers of not only Ramer, but also MonCre telephone cooperative. Gilbert Sellers, Walt's uncle, worked closely with MonCre founder, Mildred Smith, to establish and garner the necessary funding for the co-op in 1952. Gilbert Sellers became MonCre's first board president.

MonCre's first year of operation brought a glimpse of the future, and quickly people signed on for service even though lines were to be shared by multiple users. Bud
Sellers was enlisted to help with the sales and sign up of new co-op members, and he continued to serve as interim manager until Larry Menefee was named manager in 1960.

Walt Sellers remembers the early days of phone service, or lack of, in Ramer. "If you had to make a telephone call back then, the only phone in town was at G.L. Cherry's store. Then came the party lines—the farther away from town, the more party lines you had to deal with."

Walt began elementary school in Ramer in 1946. "We really had a good public school, but no paved roads. We got rides with my aunt who drove a tractor everywhere. That's how we got around during winter months," he recalled.

Walt graduated from Auburn University in 1962 with a degree in business. (His roommate was Ed Richardson, the current interim president at Auburn.) In 1995 he returned to the classroom for a law degree at Jones Law School in Montgomery. Although he doesn't practice law per se, he uses his knowledge of real estate law to aid in his real estate businesses. He also volunteers pro bono work for community needs when necessary.

Not an avid hobbyist, he had rather watch the action. He enjoys being in the "flow" of things, and is a self-confessed 'workaholic! A Methodist and member of the United Methodist Church of Ramer, he has been instrumental in the recent expansion activities. The 6,000 sq ft addition will house classrooms, a fellowship hall to serve the 130 to 140 members to attend. There are plans to use the base-
ment area as a possible shelter during serious weather conditions.

Walt Sellers expects Ramer to have a gradual growth. "The influx of large plants such as Hyundai and subsidiaries will impact the area in the long run, he says, but it will take time."

"We are isolated somewhat, but not much. Metropolitan areas are beginning to reach our outskirts. We're not exactly on the beaten path, but access to the interstate is fairly convenient. People live here by choice. They enjoy the lifestyle," states Sellers.

As far as MonCre telephone is concerned, he says that "MonCre plays an important role in our community. It is growing through technology and good things can only develop from that growth. It continues to expand, continues to grow. Through the Internet, MonCre has opened the world to the co-op members."

Walt and wife, Carole, have two sons. Walt, lr., a computer engineer in Florida and Scott, a comptroller for the Federal Land Bank. They have four grandchildren.