Mitchell, William Lewis 1897-1985

MITCHELL, AUSTIN, HAYS

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/3/2012 at 10:41:36

William Lewis Mitchell

William Lewis Mitchell, 88, Fort Dodge, former Akron resident and businessman, died Nov. 30,1985, in the Tompkins Memorial Health Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

His body was cremated. Memorial services were held Dec. 3 in the Chapel on the Hill at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The Rev. David Waterman and Rev. Chester Guinn officiated. Internment will be at a later date in Riverside cemetery at Akron.

Mr. Mitchell was born May 11, 1897 to William Lewis and Virginia Austin Mitchell Sr., at Ardmore, Okla. He received his education at private, Indian and public schools in Calera, Okla. He later attended Gulf Coast Military Academy in Gulfport, Miss. He was employed in the Packard Automobile factory in Detroit until he entered the U.S. army in 1918, serving in the army of occupation with the rank of Sargent until discharged from the army in 1919. After his discharge he came to Akron to see his army "buddy", J.R. Hays. They formed a partnership and established the Akron Electric Contracting business which he operated for 60 years.

Mr. Mitchell married Ruth Hays, Aug. 15,1927 at South Sioux City, Neb. They made their home in Akron until 1981, when they moved to Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. Bill was proud of his Indian ancestry and to be a voting member of the Choctaw Tribe. He was a life member of the American Legion Albert E. Hoschler Post 185 in Akron. He was also a member of World War I Barracks 1507, Le Mars. Mr. Mitchell served as justice of the peace in Akron for several years. He served 25 years on the Plymouth county board of tax review. In later years he became interested in soil conservation and used his knowledge to improve their small farm near Akron. He was an active member of Wesley United Methodist church in Akron, where he served on the administrative board for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; three" sisters, Mrs. Emily Suman and Helen Mitchell of Durant, Oklahoma, and Mrs. A.R. (Vivian) Jones of St. Petersburg, Fla.. Memorials may be made in Mr. Mitchell's name to the Tompkins Memorial Health Center Care fund at Friendship Haven, Fort Dodge, Iowa or Wesley United Methodist church in Akron.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, December 12, 1985
Akron, Iowa

Memorial services set for William L. Mitchell

Memorial services for William L. Mitchell, Fort Dodge, former longtime Akron resident, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Wesley United Methodist church in Akron.

Mr. Mitchell died November 30, 1985.

Rev. Peter Peterson and Rev. Chester Guinn will officiate. Final graveside committal of his ashes will follow in Riverside cemetery in Akron.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, May 8, 1986
Akron, Iowa