Valley Couple Organize ‘Fightin For The Med’

By Editor | July 21, 2010 |

Special To The Herald

MEMPHIS – Shelia and Jimmy “The Ghostrider” Willard are organizing a night of wrestling at The Dome at the Agricenter International July 24 to raise money for The MED Foundation.

While one in four people you know may need The MED one day, the Willards have needed it on two separate occasions to save their loved ones.

Residents of Water Valley, the Willards credit The MED with saving Shelia’s daughter, Angela Marie Barley, in 1998 when the car she was a passenger in was struck by a drunk driver. A few years later, Jimmy’s son Jason Willard was beaten and left for dead on a remote Mississippi road. A rescue team airlifted him to The MED.

“In our situation it wasn’t an issue of insurance, we have it,” said Shelia. “Angela was in another hospital but the doctors said only The MED could save her. With Jason, the air rescue team knew that The MED was his only chance; they didn’t even expect him to make it.”

The Willards are organizing an event called “Fightin’ for The MED.” It will bring together more than 15 wrestlers who are all donating their time to benefit The MED Foundation. The Agricenter International is a sponsor.

“Shelia’s been thinking for years about how she can thank The MED,” said Jimmy Willard. “We have this wrestling business, and we do benefits. Shelia got on the phone and got all the wrestlers to commit to donating their time.”

“This is a family-focused, kid-friendly event,” emphasizes Jimmy Willard, who operates Maximum Championship Wrestling. “The wrestlers who participate know that no profanity, drinking or drugs are allowed. We’ve got some great wrestlers lined up, legends and newcomers. Some of the talent you’ll see here you could be seeing on the WWE in a couple of years.”

While the wrestler roster may change, fighters on deck for the event include V.I.P., Max Steel, Neil “The Real Deal” Taylor, The Reaper, Cameron Valentine and Hollywood Jimmy Blaylock.

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