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WILLIAMS FAMILY NEWS THANK YOU, BOE! This issue of the News is dedicated to Boe Williams, our Williams Family Historian. Born Edwin LeGrand Williams, Jr., in Waycross, Georgia, on June 1, 1937, “Boe” is the son of E. L. and Doris Cason Williams. He is the grandson of George Newton and Bessie Box Williams, great-grandson of Jasper Newton and Virginia Grace Williams, and great-great grandson of Andrew Elton and Melissa Underwood Williams. Boe was instrumental in the formation of our Williams Family Ancestral Association and has served as Historian since its inception. He has contributed many hours encouraging our youth through scholarships, and has been a fountain of information for our family newsletter. Boe has described our ancestors as hardworking, self-reliant, courageous, with firmness of character, hospitable, kind, patient, neighborly, caring of others, of deep religious faith, brave, and honorable. He said that they raised decent people, contributed heavily to their communities, and had a tremendous impact on those who knew them. We all come from good stock, but Boe inherited these genes a thousand fold! A graduate of Florida State University, he and his wife, Carolyn, built a successful retail shoe business with stores in Valdosta and Waycross, Georgia, and Gainesville and Jacksonville, Florida. This unassuming man served as President of the Southeastern Independent Retailers and received their highest award for leadership. Their children are Edd, Cason and Ginny, (Left to right in photo: Edd, Boe, Cason and Ginny) fine people in whom they shared pride. Boe’s faith carried him through the abyss created by the unexpected death of Carolyn. She had been his strong support professionally, socially, and within their family. Boe has an intense interest in history, and particularly in the traits that make our Williams family strong and different from others. He enjoys the study of our family’s place in American history (cont. page 3) Volume One Hundred Eight January, 2010

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WILLIAMS FAMILY NEWS

THANK YOU, BOE!

This issue of the News is dedicated to Boe Williams, our Williams Family Historian.

Born Edwin LeGrand Williams, Jr., in Waycross,Georgia, on June 1, 1937, “Boe” is the son of E. L. andDoris Cason Williams. He is the grandson of GeorgeNewton and Bessie Box Williams, great-grandson ofJasper Newton and Virginia Grace Williams, andgreat-great grandson of Andrew Elton and MelissaUnderwood Williams.

Boe was instrumental in the formation of our WilliamsFamily Ancestral Association and has served asHistorian since its inception. He has contributed manyhours encouraging our youth through scholarships,and has been a fountain of information for our familynewsletter.

Boe has described our ancestors as hardworking, self-reliant, courageous, with firmness of character,hospitable, kind, patient, neighborly, caring of others, of deep religious faith, brave, and honorable. He saidthat they raised decent people, contributed heavily to their communities, and had a tremendous impacton those who knew them. We all come from good stock, but Boe inherited these genes a thousand fold!

A graduate of Florida State University, he and his wife, Carolyn, built a successful retail shoe business withstores in Valdosta and Waycross, Georgia, and Gainesville and Jacksonville, Florida. This unassumingman served as President of the Southeastern Independent Retailers and received their highest award forleadership. Their children are Edd, Cason and Ginny, (Left to right in photo: Edd, Boe, Cason and Ginny)

fine people in whom they shared pride. Boe’s faith carried him through the abyss created by theunexpected death of Carolyn. She had been his strong support professionally, socially, and within theirfamily.

Boe has an intense interest in history, and particularly in the traits that make our Williams family strongand different from others. He enjoys the study of our family’s place in American history (cont. page 3)

Volume One Hundred Eight January, 2010

Jan. 2010 WILLIAMS FAMILY NEWS Page 2

DISCOVERING MY ROOTSI “got into” genealogy about seven years ago when Idecided to give my two adult daughters a “family book”for Christmas. After a few weeks, I realized I couldn’tcomplete it by Christmas--and it is still not finished! But,I was “hooked!” I love mysteries and puzzles; I supposethis is one reason why I’m so fascinated by genealogy.And, in trying to find the hidden pieces to this “puzzle,” Ihave made some interesting discoveries.

One of the “not-so-good” things I discovered is that mygreat-great grandfather Raley, whose family were someof the first, if not the first Raleys in Florida, apparentlytook it upon himself to help populate WashingtonCounty, Florida! He did this with the help of at leastthree women he never married. And, a big surprise wasthat he, a Southerner, was a Union sympathizer duringthe Civil War. But, according to one of his friends whoprovided an affidavit in his Indian Wars pensionapplication, he “never aided or abetted the rebellion.”

Some of the good things I’ve discovered: Two of my highschool classmates are Williams cousins; I learned thisonly about five years ago through my research. And, Ifound a third cousin from my Raley line who has beenliving about two miles from me for several years. We’vebecome as close as sisters. I learned, also, that mygreat-great grandfather Raley had his “good side.” Hehelped the “down and out,” and was a family man. Heeven risked getting into trouble with the government toprotect his family. In his pension application, he said,"During the last war, I thought my age would exemptme, but when they got so they took everybody, I hid outand took care of myself the best I could. My childrenwere mostly girls and I had to stay around to take care ofthem." And, he adopted two of his illegitimate childrenand tried to adopt a third one. He also donated the landfor a church.

I’ve discovered some interesting “facts” through myresearch: My great grandfather Burke may have livedwith Indians for awhile. I am possibly a descendant ofSir Walter Raleigh’s brother, Carew, who had asettlement in one of the Carolinas. My husband may bea descendant of Geoffrey Chaucer’s (the poet) sister,Catherine. And, the Baragona surname used to bemuch longer and started with an “S.”

Most people seem to be generally obsessed by or notremotely interested in, genealogy. There are few “grayareas” of interest. But, I can’t understand why anyonedoesn’t want to know more about their ancestors!Learning about my own ancestors has had an impact onmy life. I have a greater sense of “belonging” to a larger

family. I feel more connected to my ancestors, and I’mmore appreciative of what they endured just to survive.And, I’m not as judgmental as I used to be–learning thatyour own ancestors were not “perfect” has an humblingeffect, and causes one to be a little less critical of others’shortcomings.

My greatest “discovery” is that my Williams roots arefrom good, strong, sturdy “stock.” I am proud to be aWilliams! I will be forever grateful to Boe Williams forhis dedication in researching our Williams family. The“big Williams book” has become my Williams family“bible.” It is rich with Williams family history, and readingabout my Williams ancestors is the next best thing tohaving known them personally. This is one “discovery”I will cherish forever.

– The Editor

WILLIAMS FAMILY NEWS(Supported by your contributions)

EditorGloria Baragona3288 Baragona Acres RoadTallahassee, FL 32303Phone: (850) 562-4779; Cell: (850) 212-1771Fax: (850) 562-5193Email: [email protected]

TreasurerJim V. Williams5395 Battleship ParkwaySpanish Fort, AL 36527

HistorianE. L. “Boe” WilliamsP. O. Box 2006Valdosta, GA 31601

MeetingsThe annual Williams Family Association Board ofDirectors meeting, in conjunction with the ReunionPlanning meeting is held on the first Saturday inMay. The annual WILLIAMS FAMILY REUNION isheld on the first Saturday in October at GalileeUnited Methodist Church, between Chipley andGraceville, on Florida State Road 77.

(In the event of extreme weather, the Reunion willbe postponed until the second Saturday inOctober.)

Jan. 2010 WILLIAMS FAMILY NEWS Page 3

Thank You, Boe!...continued

and in learning of the travels and activities of our ancestors. He’s so pleased with a new discovery that he remembersevery detail--when, where (page, book, and shelf!), and who helped him find this piece of the puzzle. Boe is wellrespected by those familiar with his insistence on accuracy, his source documentation, and his dedication to citing thework of others.

Judge Folks Huxford became his mentor and fostered his skills in genealogy. Boe helped organize the HuxfordGenealogical Society, has served as the long-standing chairman of their board of directors, and has edited manyarticles for their quarterly magazine and numerous other publications. He has seen to the preservation of valuablehistorical documents and books, and has been steadfast in his desire to maintain a superb library in Homerville,Georgia, thus keeping this information available to other researchers.

Carolyn encouraged Boe to record his genealogy research and share it with others. Through these efforts, AndrewElton Williams: Ancestors, Contemporaries, Descendants, and Allied Families was published in 2003 to preserve ourfamily history for future generations. This book represents a lifetime of dedicated work. For over 25 years, Boeencouraged correspondence with cousins to amass identification and listing of over 20,000 related Williamsdescendants. Boe wrote the narrative about the lives of our family and other families closely associated with them:Mathis, Lanier, Brett, Jones, Miller, Lassiter, Davis, Syfrett, Harrell, Gavin, Underwood, Grace, Penuel, Adams, Cason,Hinson, Mitchell and Smith. The 261 pages of indices give access to over 500 other surnames mentioned in the book.He sought technological expertise to include over 100 pages of copies of family documents and pictures.

This humble cousin of ours has studied the genealogical benefits of DNA research and has more than a workingknowledge of this scientific breakthrough. He has supported the collection of DNA specimens so that our family isadequately represented in the database that connects this web of Williamses, thereby gaining more clues as to theorigin of our family.

Boe is a peacemaker and often finds humor as tensions abate. Boe’s wise counsel has solved problems for manyand has helped avert some potentially unpleasant situations. When he “gets it,” his face lights up with a grin(accompanied by a wonderful chuckle) and life is put back into perspective

Isn’t it comforting to know that one day a young person will be cured of cancer because of the selflessness of our Boe.He has endured intense treatments, not for himself, but for his family and in the hope that doctors will make progresstoward a breakthrough. How blessed we are that his wife, Carol, came into our family when she did! She has beensupportive through some tough times.

This article is a reminder that there are so many, many positive thoughts about our cousin Boe. Before he finishesreading this he will honestly ask himself, “who is the subject of this piece?” It is hard for him to understand hisdistinctiveness because, with love in his heart, he just keeps doing what comes naturally to him and what he enjoys.

Hey, Boe! Thanks for all you’ve done for the Williams Clan of Galilee!!– An anonymous Williams cousin

***********

Boe Williams is one of the most unique individuals I've ever met. He is truly one of a kind and an American treasure.His knowledge of history on a personal level is amazing. His memory is photographic. His intellect is keen asdemonstrated by his quickness to pick up on, and understand the power and limitations of DNA to genealogy. Boeis a dedicated businessman who built a business from nothing into a successful enterprise with a reputation forquality, service, and integrity that has stood the test of time. His love of family is obvious to all. He is a sharing,caring individual who is a true friend to many. The world is a better place as a result of the family, friendships,business, library, scholarships, and knowledge that Boe has, and continues to build. It is an honor to call him myfriend.

– Allen O’Shields

Jan. 2010 WILLIAMS FAMILY NEWS Page 4

FAMILY LIFE EVENTS

What do those numbers mean? The Editor adds page numbers, within or at the end of news items, fromthe book, Andrew Elton Williams: Ancestors, Contemporaries, Descendants and Allied Families, onwhich the family of the individual mentioned is listed.

Births and Birthdays

Lesleigh Ann and Logan Elliott Peavy (Travis and Niki Knight Peavy; William Franklin Knight; Flora WilliamsKnight; Seaborn Williams; George Franklin “Salem George” Williams; Henry Williams; Andrew Elton and Patsy BrettWilliams) were born August 28, 2009, in Panama City, Florida. The twins and their parents live in Blountstown,Florida. (391)

Adley Caroline Richardson was born November 7, 2009, in Gainesville, Georgia to Zachery and JessicaPrescott Richardson (Leslie and Carolyn Peel Prescott; Addison Ann Cope Prescott; Harry and Nellie Williams Cope;Henry Lee “Boy” and Ella Snell Williams; George Franklin “Salem George” and Josephine Reddick Williams; Henryand Ann Eliza Lassiter Williams; Andrew Elton and Melissa Underwood Williams.) (389)

Hunter Leif Hathaway, was born December 4, 2009, weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and was19.5 incheslong. His parents are Kelly and Janet Hathaway. Janet is a descendant of Melissa Underwood Williams’brother, John Newton, but regularly attends Williams Reunions to “rub elbows” with Williams cousins.

Obituaries

Glynn D. Alford (Martha Williams Alford; Daniel Mark Williams; Warren Frederick Williams; Joseph Daniel Williams;

Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams), 51, of Vernon, Florida, died November 9, 2009. He is preceded in deathby his father, Lynn A. Alford. He is survived by his mother, Martha Williams Alford of Vernon; children,Martha Lynn Olszowy of Ocala, Florida; Allison Hatfield and Christopher Tillman both of Panama City,Florida; brothers, Mark Alford of Jacksonville, Florida, and Lynn J. Alford of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; andtwo grandchildren, Peyton and William Olszowy. (376)

Barbara Jeanette Miller (Floyd Bishop Miller; Viola Watford Miller; Rachel Williams Watford;

William W. Williams; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams), 68, died November 6 2009, inMuncie, Indiana. Surviving her are a brother, Wilton R. Miller of Tallahassee, Florida; threesisters, Margaret Curtis of Atlanta, Marilyn Blanford of Tallahassee, and Kathryn Miller ofSan Antonio, Texas. Her husband, Andrew L. Case, and her parents, Retilla Cook M. Leitchand Floyd B. Miller preceded her in death. (242)

Edgar "Clay" Barcus IV, (Edgar C. Barcus, III; Nell Frances Miller Barcus; Claudia Brown Miller; Mary F. Harrell

Brown; Rebecca Williams Harrell; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams) of Sewell, New Jersey, passed away onNovember 24, 2009. Clay enjoyed outdoor activities, hunting, fishing, sports, and spending time with hisfamily. Clay is survived by his parents, Helen and Edgar Barcus III, and paternal grandmother Nell Barcusof Sewell. He is predeceased by his sister Cheryl Jean Barcus; grandfather Edgar Barcus Jr.; and maternalgrandparents George and Anna Eisfelder. (498)

Curtis Walter Taylor, 89, husband of Lela Mae Williams Taylor (Ernest S. Williams; Luther Monroe Williams;

Joseph Daniel Williams; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams) died November 13, 2009, in Columbus, Georgia.In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Linda Atkinson, and two sons, Larry and Luther Taylor;five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. (339)

Jan. 2010 WILLIAMS FAMILY NEWS Page 5

Obituaries...continued

Betty Arnold Williams, wife of Earl Hinote Williams (Mangumm Williams; John Anderson "Bose" Williams; Joseph

Daniel Williams; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams), died November 24, 2009, in Jacksonville, Texas. Herparents, Walter Paisley Alford and Teresa Childs Alford, and a sister, Ann Alford Kates, preceded her indeath. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Earl Williams of Jacksonville, Texas; a sister, Sue AlfordHowell, of Bonifay, Florida; a brother, John Alford, of Bonifay, and several nieces and nephews. (385)

Florence Hazel Woodham Miller, 87, wife of Dr. Frank Jack Miller (Robert Lee Miller; Andrew Jackson Miller;

Marion Arion Williams Miller; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams) of Graceville, Florida died December 7, 2009.She is survived by her husband, Dr. F. Jack Miller; a son, Lee Miller of Graceville; three daughters, LynnHooper of Lynn Haven, Florida, and Leslie Polston and Lina Henrickson of Graceville; 11 grandchildren; 17great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great grandchildren. (275)

Duncan “Smitty” Smith, 78, (Claudia Burns Smith; Effie Williams Burns; Melissa Syfrett Williams; Martha Jane

Williams; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams) died December 12, 2009, in Panama City, Florida. He waspreceded in death by his mother, Claudia Burns Smith, and two brothers, David Smith and Jim Smith.Survivors include his wife, Jean Adkison Smith, of Panama City; a daughter, Jill Stewart of Hartford,Alabama; a son, Jon H. Smith of Panama City; two sisters, Theresa Lassiter of Slocomb, Alabama andWanda Shipes of Clio, Alabama; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. (487)

Williams Family Professional Life

Genie Williams James (Angus Douglas “Doug” Williams, Jr.; Angus Douglas Williams, Sr.; James Buckner

Williams; William W. Williams; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams) and her husband C. W. Randolph, Jr., M.D.,own and run their eHealth business (www.hormonewell.com) committed to self-management of hormonehealth issues. Genie has a new book coming out soon. Check out their website for further information. (254)

Suburban Salon (www.suburbansalon.com) in Tallahassee, Florida, is owned by Carolyn Hinson Brown(James Arthur Hinson; Harvey Hinson; Harrison and Sarah Williams Hinson, Jr.; Andrew Elton and Melissa UnderwoodWilliams). Carolyn has been in business over 50 years! (562)

Country Cobbler Shoes is owned by Boe Williams. He has stores in Valdosta and Waycross, Georgia,and also in Gainesville and Jacksonville, Florida. (Be sure to read about Boe on page 1!) (515)

Bevis Funeral Home (www.bevisfuneral.com) in Tallahassee, Florida, was founded in 1964 by RussellRoland Bevis (Melissa Mae Hinson Bevis; Sarah Williams Hinson; Andrew Elton and Melissa Underwood Williams)

and remains an independent, family-owned funeral home. Rodney "Rocky" Bevis acquired the funeralhome from his father in 1998. Rocky's daughter, Sarah Bevis Taylor, is the third Bevis generation to servethe Tallahassee community. Bevis Funeral Home acquired funeral homes in Bristol and Quincy, Florida toserve a wider area. The funeral home and the Bevis family and staff are active in many communityorganizations, including Marzuq Shrine Center, Springtime Tallahassee, and Big Bend Hospice. (572)

Southerland Funeral Home, Inc. (www.southerlandfamily.com) in Lynn Haven, Florida, was established in1955, by James Ray Southerland, his wife Bobbie Lee Bevis (Melissa Mae Hinson Bevis; Sarah Williams

Hinson; Andrew Elton and Melissa Underwood Williams) and their son, Steve. Ray and Bobbie retired in the mid1970's and handed the reins of the company over to Steve and his wife, Mary Sue. In 1987, SteveSoutherland, II, became the third generation of Southerlands to continue the family heritage. The companyis one of the largest family-owned and operated funeral companies in Northwest Florida. (571)

Jan. 2010 WILLIAMS FAMILY NEWS Page 6

Williams Family Professional Life...continued

Williams Funeral Home in Graceville, Florida is owned by Tommy Williams (Max Weldon Williams; Robert

Wade Williams; William Henry Williams; William W. Williams; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams). He has beenin business since 1994. Tommy also serves on the Williams Family Board of Trustees.

Baldwin Accounting and Tax Service, in Spanish Fort, Alabama, is owned by D. V. Williams, our family“patriarch” and his son Jim Williams, our family Treasurer.

David McFarlan Williams (Henry McFarlan (Mac) Williams; Angus Williams; Henry Williams; Jasper Newton

Williams; Andrew Elton and Melissa Underwood Williams), who is married to Jane Nix, is an affiliate distributorof Eagle Feather Homes in Lakeland, Florida (http://lakeland.eaglefeatherhomes.com). His companyis able to market world-wide. The company that builds the homes for the TV show, Extreme Makeover HomeEdition, also builds Eagle Feather’s to their specifications. Eagle Feather Homes can withstand a direct 200mph wind and exceeds California's code for earthquakes. David Williams’ oldest son, Jonathan Williams,is a structural engineer with BCI and leads the music at Compass Point Church in Lakeland, Florida. David’smiddle son, Matthew Williams, will soon graduate from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Theiryoungest son Daniel Williams, who had his 22nd birthday December 18, attends Tallahassee CommunityCollege and works for UPS. (511)

Edwin L. “Edd” Williams, III, (Edwin LeGrand “Boe” Williams, Jr.; Edwin L. Williams, Sr.; George Newton

Williams; Jasper Newton Williams; Andrew Elton and Melissa Underwood Williams) teaches French and Historyat Grady High School in Atlanta. (515)

Karen Bush (Sandra Powell Bush; Mary Lorene Williams Powell; Joseph Seaborn Williams; Joseph Sanders

Williams; William W. Williams; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams) is a middle-school math teacher atWangenheim Middle School in San Diego, California. Her sister, Donna Lynn Bush Mantei, is a juniorkindergarten teacher at Mariners Christian School in Costa Mesa, California. (258)

Hoyt and Ella Williams have an airline pilot, a policeman, two ordained ministers, two family membersworking on their doctoral degrees, a computer senior systems program engineer, and an electronic systemrepairman in their family. (Hoyt isn’t sure of his lineage, but we “claim” him anyway!)

Bill and Kathy Clark are serving as humanitarian missionaries through The Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints, working with Deseret International Charities, which operates in many of the developingcountries throughout the world. Kathy is a descendant of Joseph Daniel Williams, Andrew Elton’s next-to-oldest son. Bill descends through William W. Williams, Andrew Elton’s oldest son. In November, Bill andKathy returned from serving eighteen months in Outer Mongolia, and will be going out again in early spring.They hope to go back to Mongolia, but are “willing to go wherever the Lord needs us.” Meanwhile, they areenjoying their children, grandchildren, and friends. They hope to attend the 2010 Reunion. (229)

Steve Southerland, II (William Steve Southerland; Robbie Lee Bevis Southerland; Melissa Mae Hinson Bevis; Sarah

Williams Hinson; Andrew Elton and Melissa Underwood Williams) President of Southerland Funeral Home, ofLynn Haven, Florida is running for Congress in Florida’s Second Congressional District. The counties inthe District are Bay, Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Lafayette, Liberty, Suwannee, Taylor,Walton, and Wakulla counties, and portions of Jefferson, Leon, and Okaloosa counties. (571)

Gloria Baragona, your News editor, needs your email address so she can send you news items, as well asthe electronic version of the News. Her email address is [email protected].

Jan. 2010 WILLIAMS FAMILY NEWS Page 7

Achievement and Recognition

Kim Bryant Williams (Hugh Elton Williams, Jr.; Hugh Elton Williams, Sr.; George Franklin “Bud” Williams, Jr.;

George Franklin Williams, Sr.; Andrew Elton and Patsy Brett Williams) was elected Chairman of the EconomicDevelopment Council of Tallahassee-Leon County for 2009-2011. Kim is President of Marpan, Inc. and ismanaging partner of the Heritage at Commonwealth, Hamilton Industrial Park and Commerce IndustrialCenter. Kim has a long history of community involvement. He is a founding Board member and pastPresident of Southside Business Association. He is also a past Chair of the Tallahassee Chamber and wasthe 2006 recipient of the Godfrey Smith Past-Chair award. He served eight years on the Board of theTallahassee Housing Authority, and is current Chair of the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee-Leon County, Chair of the Campaign Committee of The Florida Center, and on the Boards of TallahasseeMemorial Healthcare and Capital City Bank.

Andrew Elton Williams, son of Kim Bryant Williams, graduatedfrom Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Businessand Entrepreneurship in December, 2009. (From left to right:Janet Gibby Williams (Andrew’s mother), Andrew Elton Williams,Johanna Williams Money (Andrew’s sister) and Kim B. Williams(Andrew’s father). (Not pictured,Mayda Williams, Kim’s wife andAndrew’s stepmother). (443)

Sarah Grace Covington (William Henry "Bill" and Susan Jones Covington;John L. and Mary Barfield Jones, Agnes Williams Barfield, Columbus Alexander"Bud" Williams, Sarah Amanda "Sid" Hinson Williams, Mary Jane McCrary Hinson,Rebecca Williams McCrary, Owen Williams (Uncle of Andrew Elton Williams), 18,participated in the 2009 Western Star Beauty Pageant in September inBonifay, Florida. She was crowned "Western Star Queen" and "WesternStar Over-All Winner" in the category of best personality and best westernwear for 2009. She attends Chipola College where she is a cheerleader. (Inthe photo, Sarah is on the right) (119)

ATTENTION: HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!!

Applications for the Andrew Elton Williams Scholarship are ready formailing. Interested high school seniors may receive application forms from Pat Williams at 1242 Kevin Road,Graceville, FL 32440; e-mail [email protected]; phone: 850-263-3000. Directions for completion offorms, as well as eligibility requirements, will be included. Completed forms should be returned to Pat by April1, the deadline date set by the Scholarship Committee. The recipient will receive a one-time grant of $2500.This grant is made possible by gifts from Williams Family members. Each year, the Scholarship Committeeseeks at least 100 members to contribute $25.00 each to fund the scholarship. Of course, any amount willbe greatly appreciated, and, if you would like to help, please send your contribution to Jim Williams, 5395Battleship Parkway, Spanish Fort, AL 36527. Checks should be made payable to the Williams FamilyAssociation and designated for the scholarship fund.

It’s a Small, Small World!!

Ruth Hinson White’s (Arthur Hinson; Harvey Hinson; Harrison Jr. and Sarah Williams Hinson; Andrew Eltonand Melissa Underwood Williams) mother, who lived in northwest Florida, visited Ruth in Peoria, Illinoisseveral years ago. Ruth’s mother sat with Ruth’s husband in a church worship service while Ruth was in thechoir. When the registration notepad was passed for visitors to sign, Ruth’s husband noticed that the personsitting next to Ruth’s mother was also a Hinson. After the service, she learned that the other Hinson was thegrandson of Ruth’s great uncle, Foy Hinson.

Stephen Williams had lived two blocks from one of our Williams cousins for several years and didn’t knowhe was even related to her until he read her obituary in an email from the editor.

You never know where kin is among you! What is your “small-world” story? Let the Editor know.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!

Your Editor recently created a group, Williams Clan of Galilee, on Facebook. We currently have 35members. The main reason the group was created was to make contact with Williams relatives who mayhave been “out of the loop” with respect to attending the reunion and receiving the newsletter. Efforts havealready “paid off:” Two of the new group members were not on the News mailing list; they have now beenadded. Also, I am trying to make contact with as many “young” people as I can, hoping to generate moreinterest in the family and in the reunion. Join the “Clan.”

Williams Family Newsc/o Gloria Baragona3288 Baragona Acres RoadTallahassee, FL 32303

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

WILLIAMS

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