Last Rites For William O. Read Held Wednesday

Funeral services for William Oliver Read, pioneer Texas and Hall County farmer and rancher, were held at the Hedley First Methodist Church Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Mr. Read, 84 years of age, died in a Memphis hospital Tuesday.

Rev. O.C. Evans, pastor of the Lakeview First Methodist Church, conducted the last rites. Burial was in Newlin Cemetery under the direction of Murphy-Spicer Funeral Directors.

Pallbearers were: M.D. Shaw, Henry Moore, W.B. Wiggins, Wayne Latimer and Carroll Deahl.

Born August 18, 1865, in Springfield, Mo., Mr. Read moved to Wise County, Texas, with his family when he was seven years of age. He was married to Miss Evalena King in 1884 and she died in 1892 at Paradice.

Me married Miss Dora Palmer on July 4, 1894, at Paradice and the family moved to Hall county in 1914. They made their home at Newlin until 1928 when they moved to Hedley. Their home was in Lelia Lake at the time of his death.

Mr. Read had been active in the early settling of Texas. He drove cattle over the old Chisholm Trail from Ft. Worth to Dodge City, Kan., while a youth of 17. He later helped build the first church in Paradise.

Survivors include his wife of Lelia Lake and six daughters: Mrs. Dona Davis, Bridgeport; Mrs. Everett Hughs, Newlin; Mrs. Mary Jane Moore, Dallas; Mrs. J.W. Longshore, Lakeview; Mrs. E.A. Vance, Lefors, and Mrs. R.M. Clark, Leslie.

Four sons survive: F.E. Read, McAllister, Okla.; Charlie T. Read, Lubbock; Z.L. Read, Amarillo, and J.A. Read, Lelia Lake.

Other survivors include two sisters: Mrs. P.D. Meadow, Skellytown, and Mrs. Ellen Banks of White Deer.

Two brothers also survive: Noah Read of Vinson and Lee Read of Hedley.

Other survivors include 25 grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren.

(Published in The Memphis Democrat, Volume LX, Number 52, Memphis, Hall County, Texas, Thursday Afternoon, June 1, 1950, Page 1, 12)