Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, September l8, l902

WILLIAM MITCHELL MCVAY was born in Knox Co., Ohio, July 29, l84l. He with his parents, emigrated to old Adams Co., Ill. in l856, and from there came to Decatur Co., Iowa, near Garden Grove in l858. He was raised on the farm where he acquired industrious habits that clung to him through life.

He was very efficient in assisting his father and brothers in the work on the farm, assisting his father often in building houses and barns and in this way learned to be a good mechanic.

He attended the district school in the winter and the academy for a few terms thereby acquiring sufficient education to teach school, in which profession he was quite successful; during the last year he received a letter from a Baptist Minister thanking him for lessons that he had learned on the line of good morals while attending the school that he was teaching.

On Nov. ll, l865, he was united in holy wedlock to MISS PHILENA MORGAN; two children, BOYD and DELPHIA, who are still living, were born to them. He moved on the farm he improved and still owns, in l870. He retired from the farm in l890 owing to failing health; he moved to Weldon and remained there until his death which occurred Sept. 5, l902, aged 6l years, l month and 6 days.

MR. MCVAY was highly respected because of his pureness of character, and conversation and conduct, honorable in all his dealings, in sympathy with the suffering and needy, his money often going out with his sympathy when needed. He was a believer in the power of the Gospel to change and transform the lives of sinful men though he never identified himself with any church, yet he believed in a sincere devotion to the Truth.

The writer at the request of the deceased, conducted the funeral services at the Tabernacle in Weldon, Sept. 7, l902, at l0 a.m., assisted by Rev. Organ, Pastor of the Christian Church and Rev. Mathews of the M.E. Church, and Rev. Hamilton, Evangelist. The text (a selection of the family) was James l:27; also James 2:24, the sermon was preached in the presence of a large and weeping audience after which the remains were interred in the Metier Cemetery to await the resurrection.

MR. J.C. MCVAY of South Dakota and LEROY MCVAY, of Weldon, Iowa, and MRS. A. GIBSON, of Leroy, Iowa, brothers and sister of the deceased were present at the funeral. Z.S. MORGAN of Gallo, Montana, did arrive in time for the funeral service; he is a brother of MRS. W.M. MCVAY's.

MRS. MCVAY mourns the loss of a loving husband, the children the loss of an affectionate father, the brothers and sister the loss of a kind brother and the community feels deeply the loss of a useful and influential citizen. The relatives have the sympathy of the public.

--G.E.M.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
February l5, 2003