HE WAS RESIDENT WHEN COUNTY FORMED
William B. McWhorter "King Of The Dawson Pioneers," Dies Early Today
Lamesa (Speciall - William Burton McWhorter 87, who had been a resident of Dawson County longer than any other person, died at 1 a.m, today in Medical Arts Hospital here after a lengthy illness.
Funeral arrangements are pending at HIgginbotham Funeral Home.
McWhorter came to this area in 1889 with his parents while it was still under the jurisdiction of Howard County. He was born in a dugout on Dead Man's Creek in Jones County, Sept. 4, 1873. McWhorter first worked as a cowboy for the old Col. C. C. Slaughter ranch when he moved into this area.
He was a cowboy on a portion of the ranch near here when Dawson County was formed in 1897.(??)
McWhorter was honored as "King of Dawson pioneers" at a special celebration in 1956. He worked for the Slaughter ranch "off and on for about 15 years." He was a member of the Baptist Church and liked to recall he was baptized in Tobacco Creek east of here which has been linked to some of the earllest of recorded South Plains history. McWhorter also was a horse trader and while on a business trip to Marshall in 1902 he met and married Miss Dora Mae Hailey. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on June 2, 1952. She died last spring. McWhorter and his bride settled on a small ranch and farm about four miles east of Lamesa and moved into the city 4 years ago.
He had been a city water commissioner and also was a former grocery store and service station operator.
Ill health forced his retirement several years ago. Survivors include a son, Murray, Austin; two daughters, Mrs. Gus Ragsdale and Mrs. Oll D. Harris, both of Lamesa; a sister, Mrs. L.F. Kennedy, Lubbock; four grandchildren and one greatgrandchild.