Billy M. Bolton, chairman of the board of Community Spirit Bank and Independent Bancshares, Inc., announced a new board appointment April 17.

“On behalf of the Community Spirit Bank Board of Directors and our holding company, Independent Bancshares, Inc., it is my pleasure to announce the election of William E. ‘Bill’ Weatherford as a new director for both entities effective immediately,” Bolton said. “Bill is a native of this area and comes from a well-known Franklin County family, raised in Vina and graduated Vina High School in 1988.”

Weatherford earned his Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from Auburn University in 1995. After graduation he married Donna, also a pharmacist.

After coming back home to Franklin County in the late 1990s, he worked at a chain pharmacy before starting at an independently-owned pharmacy in the Russellville area. He worked in Russellville for approximately 10 years, making him a familiar face with the east end of the county and its communities.

Bill and Donna opened their first independently-owned pharmacy in Belmont, Miss., in 2013, known as Belmont Pharmacy. “It serves that community exceptionally well,” Bolton said.

The Weatherfords opened the Red Bay Pharmacy in Red Bay in late 2017.

“Bill has served on our Belmont Advisory Board for two years. His mother, Carolyn, was a dedicated employee of our bank for 20 years,” Bolton said. “Bill has banking experience in addition to being a pharmacist. While in high school and junior college, he worked at our bank during summers and is very familiar with our bank, its culture and its importance to our communities.

“In reviewing potential additions to the bank’s board, we wanted someone who, if possible, had ties to all communities we serve,” Bolton explained. “Bill was the obvious choice. He was born and raised in the Vina community, then worked at a pharmacy in Russellville for 10 years, building many relationships with the citizens of those communities. Now his family has invested heavily in the future of Belmont and Red Bay with new business ventures.

“Bill is a very analytical and intelligent individual that can make informed decisions well. He knows the importance of a hometown, independent business and has a desire to see our communities grow and prosper.

“On behalf of all directors, officers and staff of our organization, we welcome him to the CSB team.”

Bill and Donna have two children: Gath, 17, and Gracie, 11, and they reside in Red Bay. They worship at First Baptist Church Red Bay, where Bill serves as a deacon and teaches Sunday school and a Sunday evening Bible study class.