Willard Walpole Sr. was a successful entrepreneur and supporter of Wichita State University. He came to Wichita in 1949 and purchased and established Wilco, Inc. in 1953. Although he never attended Wichita State, he believed in education and became a strong supporter of all things Shocker. As his business flourished, he began finding ways to give to the WSU community. He and his family attended many WSU sporting and cultural events. He financed the first infield AstroTurf at Eck Stadium. In 1978, he established the Hazel Walpole Scholarship to honor his first wife after her passing. Upon his death in 2003, his son, Willard, and daughter, Muriel, established this scholarship to support student athletes at Wichita State. Willard Jr. and Muriel have assumed their father’s responsibilities at Wilco. They are generous supporters of the university. Willard Jr. is a 1974 WSU alumnus.
