Printed in the Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee dated May 18 1963

Schedule Change Preceded Tragedy

Victim of Truck Accident Had Swapped Job Hours

A 41 year old truck driver, who was killed Thursday night in a flaming wreck on Highway 51 near Lucy Road, had traded schedules with another driver so he could be home for the weekend, it was learned yesterday.

William O Stafford of Jackson, Tenn., had switched runs with Wallace Stegall, also of Jackson, so he could save time and be home earlier with his family.

Mr. Stafford's gasoline tank truck loaded with more than 6000 gallons of fuel slanted into a ditch and exploded into a mass of flames. His body was pinned in the cab and efforts to rescue him were in vain.

Sheriff's deputies tentatively identified the driver as Mr. Stegall, who was scheduled to take the run, after checking with E. L. Morgan Petroleum Co., of Jackson, which owned the truck. But when they called Mr. Stegall's home they learned of the switch.

Mr. Stafford was born in West Point, Miss., and educated at Woodland, Miss. He lived in Houston, Miss., before moving to Jackson 11 years ago. He had worked for Morgan company eight years. Mr. Stafford served with the Army in Europe during World War II. He was a member of the Church of God.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Willie Mae Stafford; two sons, William Edward Stafford and John Robert Stafford; a step-son, Lester Davis of Jackson; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James N. Stafford of Cedar Bluff, Miss.; five brothers, Estol Stafford of West Point, Leo Stafford of West Memphis, John Edward Stafford of Memphis, Durwood Stafford of Okolona, Miss., and Wayne Stafford, with the Army in Gernany; three sisters, Mrs. C. T. Wiley of West Point, Mrs. Orene Anderson of Cedar Bluff and Mrs. Bob Bryant of Camp Rucker, Ala.

Griffin Funeral Home of Jackson has charge.