W.D. Little Mortgage Corp. was founded in 1983 by William D. Little. Since its inception, W. D. Little has been a family business helping families with what are always considered life's most important transaction.
William D. "Bill" Little was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. He graduated from Marietta High School and from the University of Georgia in 1940 where he was a cheerleader, played on the golf and tennis teams and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Following in the banking tradition established decades before him in the Little family, Bill served as CEO and President of 4 lending institutions in Georgia. In mid-1982, Bill retired after a long a prolific career. However, not soon after, Bill realized that he could not "play enough golf or watch enough football" to stay busy. Out of his boredom, as well as his recognition of a business opportunity, William D. Little opened W. D. Little Mortgage Corp. in early 1983.
Within a matter of months, W. D. Little Mortgage Corp. ("WDLMC") became a multi-million dollar per month loan origination operation. With business booming, Bill called upon his wife, Doris W. Little, to assist in the Company. Doris Little ws a well-seasoned realtor in the Metro-Atlanta area having had a real estate career spanning several decades. In the late 70's and early 80's, Doris specialized in land acquisition and new construction sales. So, joining Bill at WDLMC, armed with extensive knowledge, experience and relationships from the real estate industry was a nature progression. Doris became one of the most well-respected and successful loan officers in the area. With more and more employees and staff, Doris also attended to the business management at W.D. Little Mortgage. Corp.
Since our very beginnings, the quality of W. D. Little Mortgage Corp., it's clients and loan packages have been known throughout the real estate and mortgage industries. The importance of a personalized, concise and accurate process, with no surprises has been the cornerstone of our operation and we are renowned for such. As WDLMC continued to grow, and with their desire to maintain the quality of the service, Doris and Bill enlisted the help of their daughter, Meredith Little Williams. Meredith graduated from the University of Georgia and worked in the loan auditing department of a large regional bank. She joined the family forces in early 1984 and brought her training and skills forward to manage the processing and underwriting of WDLMC applications. Quickly, WDLMC moved further into the forefront of the local market, being known for the exceptional way in which our loan applications, processing and closings are handled. That quality continues today under Meredith's keen eye and dedication to our clients and the lenders who purchase our loans. These factors allow WDLMC access to the best loan programs and products at the very best rates for our customers.
What started as a college summer job has turned into a life-long career for Doris' and Bill's great-niece Mary Ansley Meaders Southerland. In the spring/summer of 1985, Mary Ansley worked with WDLMC in a clerical capacity....helping out with whatever needed to be done. Mary Ansley returned to college full time that fall. As WDLMC continued to grow and prosper, everyone quickly realized the potential for Mary Ansley in their family business and Mary Ansley returned to the Company in January of 1986, working around her course load at Kennesaw State University. Mary Ansley went on to earn degrees in Economics and Finance from Kennesaw State while also working full time learning the mortgage business. Mary Ansley was immersed into all departments, gaining experience from start to finish in a transaction. Under Meredith Williams' tutelage, she became W.D Little Mortgage's first in-house underwriter with full approval authority and moved on to head up sales and marketing. For the last several years, Mary Ansley has been an award winning, high volume loan officer for WDLMC while overseeing and managing loan production for the Company. Most recently, WDLMC and Mary Ansley earned 2007 Top Gun status from the Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers for being a top producing company in Georgia, and Mary Ansley has been recognized as the #7 top producing loan officer in Georgia.
The recent past has brought many changes to the mortgage industry and with our family business. Bill Little worked well into his eighty second year and was with us to turn the calendar on the twentieth year of W.D. Little Mortgage in 2003. He passed away in February of that year, leaving behind a wonderful legacy of southern kindness and a strong foundation for the future of WDLMC.
As part of a well thought-out succession plan, Mary Ansley became President of WDLMC in the fall of 2003. Doris Little continued with a more than full-time schedule, and survived many brushes with serious illness, always bouncing back faster and stronger and with a greater will to "get a deal closed." Anyone coming into contact with Doris knew she was truly unique and a "one in a million" type lady, never to be defeated by anything. However, after being diagnosed with lung cancer in May of 2006, Doris decided to slow down "a little bit," and at that point only worked a 40 hour week. With great courage and determination, Doris worked that schedule until only a week prior to her death in September of 2006.
During our 25 plus years in business, WDLMC has received national acclaim. Bill Little received the Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers' 1995 Mortgage Broker of the Year Award and was the National Association of Mortgage Brokers' 1996 Finalist for National Broker of the Year. For lifetime achievement in the home loan business, Bill received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Morgage Brokers in 1998. As mentioned above, in 2007, Mary Ansley Southerland was named a "Top Gun" loan officer by the Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers and WDLMC was a "Top Gun" Company.
Our family business remains steadfast and strong. Meredith Williams and Mary Ansley Southerland, along with our wonderful staff, continue to build upon the past. With integrity, experience and true dedication, we continue to meet our client's needs for proper real estate financing. Whether for a primary residence, vacation or second home, investment or income property, we, at W. D. Little Mortgage Corp., look forward to a future of serving you.