WELLBORN, William Willis, Jr.: Died 1978

WELLBORN, GRIFFETH, HILL, EPPERLY, LUNSFORD, HALL, BANKETT, BASKETT, MCFADDEN, KEELER, DODDS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 6/14/2021 at 18:29:11

William Willis Wellborn, Jr.

William Willis Wellborn, Jr. age 65 years and eight months died at the St. Joseph Hospital in Ottumwa, Iowa, quite unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 1, 1978.

He was born on May 31, 1921, the son of Emma Griffeth and William Willis Wellborn, Sr. in Cantril, Iowa.

Bill was a graduate of Cantril High School, the Bloomfield Junior College, the University of Iowa and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hohenschuh Carpenter College of Mortuary Science. He assisted his parents in the funeral profession at the age of 16.

On May 9, 1937 he was united in marriage to Martha Hill of Bloomfield, Iowa.

After completing his education he worked at Dunn's Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa, and Curl's Funeral in Bloomfield, Iowa. He then went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was Dean of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science and taught the Art Science of Embalming and Restorative Art for seven years, during which time he helped the U.S. Government in establishing one of the First Graves Registration Units of the Service. When he worked at the Dunn Funeral Home in Des Moines he was in the operation of the production of a motion picture for the National Selected Morticians in showing the use of the gravity method of embalming as well as a picture showing the use of the pressure method of embalming. While Dean of the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science he lectured at many State Funeral Director Conventions on the Art of Embalming and Restorative Art. He also went to the Cook County Hospital in Chicago and was the operator in a moving picture showing the restoration of a dead human being, following a complete autopsy. These motion pictures were used in all parts of the United States for educational purposes as well as the basis for lectures at different National Science of Mortuary meetings.

As a youth he was active in the Cantril Christian Church, serving as Deacon, Elder and Superintendent of the Sunday School. He has served in these same positions in the Milton Christian Church.

Bill was a member of the Christian Church of Milton, Iowa; a veteran of the American Legion Russell-Strait Post No. 483 of Milton, Iowa, from serving in the World War II Navy; a member of the Masonic Apollo Lodge No. 461 of Cantril, Iowa; a member of the Order of Eastern Star of Milton; a member of the Milton Lions Club and has served on the Milton School Board and the Van Buren County Hospital Board.

Bill's professional knowledge, kindness and love were a source of comfort to all those who knew him.

On August 11, 1975 he was united in marriage to Clara Mae Epperly, who survives, as well as two daughters Joyce Lunsford of Fremont, Iowa; Ramona Hall of Des Moines, Iowa; two step-children Gary Epperly of Austin, Texas, and Jeanne Bankett of Breckenridge, Missouri; two grandsons, Tony and Curt Lunsford of Fremont, Iowa; three step-daughters, Jodi Epperly of Austin, Texas, and Wendi and Melanie Baskett of Breckenridge, Missouri; four sisters, Cleda Wellborn of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Donna McFadden of Brighton, Minnesota; Maxine Keeler of Ottumwa, Iowa; Iona Dodds of Burlington, Iowa; three nieces and five nephews.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, his first wife, Martha, four sisters and two brothers.

Bill was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Funeral services were held in the Milton United Methodist Church on Sunday, February 5, 1978, with the Reverends Gerald Caughron and Ed Kail officiating. Ramona Wellborn, Gerald Caughron and Bill Boatman provided the music. Pallbearers were Gary Harrelson, Richard Keeler, Bob Icenogle, James Ensminger, Elmer Baskett, Wayne Norton, Rex Robertson and Edwin Burchett. Burial was in the Sunnyside Cemetery of Milton, Iowa, with full Military Rites.

The Priester Funeral Home of Bloomfield, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.

Source: "The Hazel Stanford Obituary Collection", Pg. 193, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA