He lived to be 74 year of age. William was a farmer and cattleman. His educational advantaged during his youth were limited, but by hard work and application he was able to prosper. He always bought land and at his death, he owned fourteen acres. When his children had no school to attend, he moved to Hico, TX, and bought a home and stayed there several years before moving back to Flag Branch, Bosque Co., TX .
He was a member of tthe Methodist Church at Oden Chapel in Somervell Co. He took his family in a wagon through the cedar bakes to church at Oden Chapel. He remained a member there until 1920 when he moved his membershp to the Methodist Church at Flag Branch. He was instrumental in building the church at Flag Branch.
Uncle Billy, as he was called by many and Grandpa by those who survive him, possessed three cardinal virtures: fidelity, sobriety, and industry, to which was added a great deal of common sense and knowledge of human nature. His sucess in life can be attributed to the fact that he laid hold upon every opportunity that came his way. He hated sham and hypocrisy. He died the day after Christmas in 1928 and is buried in the family cemetary at Flag Branch, TX
The family story is that on his father Abram's place there was a large and beautiful tree on the hillside down from his house, and through the years as he looked down upon this tree he told hiswife that he wanted to be buried under the tree and make it a family cemetary for his childen and their heirs. Abram and Louisa had a child to die in infancy, and they buried it there. As others died the land did become a family cemetary.
Written by Lilliam Flanary(F383 Bosque Historical Book)