Williams, William Calvin 1847-1928

WILLIAMS, GILREATH, COOK, TURNER, WATSON, BRAYTON, WOOMER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/9/2012 at 09:26:10

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; July 20, 1928

TAPS SOUND
FOR VETERAN
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William Calvin Williams Joins Com-
panions of Grand Army on Other
Shore.
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DIED FIVE DAYS AFTER IS
EIGHTY FIRST BIRTHDAY.
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Funeral Services Were Held Thurs-
day With Masons in Charge of
Interment.
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William Calvin Williams was born in Edmundson County, Kentucky, July 12th, 1847 and died at his home in Grinnell, Iowa, July 17, 1928, aged 81 years and 5 days. He was left an orphan at the age of ten years. He stayed with one of his mother's sisters for awhile and then went to another aunt, Mrs. Wm. Gilreath, with whom he lived until he went to the war of 1861-1865.

He was too young to enlist but being in the midst of the war zone and not being able to stay at home he went with a company of Union soldiers for a year. He then enlisted with Co. F 13th Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry and remained in the service for the remainder of the war.

In 1868 he moved to Kellogg, where he made his home for a few years. On December 31st, 1872 he was united in marriage with Marian Alice Cook who preceded him in death nearly two years ago. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Annie E. Turner of Grinnell, Viola Maud, who died when nearly five years of age, Mrs. B. Aree Watson of Des Moines and Mrs. Leila Mabel Brayton who died in 1909. There are four grandchildren, Glen C. Woomer, Leland, Iowa, Carl S. Woomer of Bandon, Ore., Dewey H. Woomer of Truesdale, Iowa and Ruth M. Watson of Des Moines, Iowa.

Mr. Williams was a member of the Masonic order for more than fifty years and of the G.A.R. He was well known in Grinnell. He was a man of unusually generous impulses and was a friend to strangers welcoming them to his home with true southern hospitality. Funeral services were held from his late home in Grinnell and from the Methodist Church on Thursday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. George Blagg. The services at the grave were in charge of the Masons. Burial was made in Hazelwood.