WILLIAM ROSS WYLIE

The following bio was taken from page 461 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Claudia Schuster

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

William Ross Wylie, born March 13, 1880, now dead, and Nellie Anderson, born July 22, 1884, ninety-seven years of age and presently living, were married January 1, 1903, in Rusk County, Texas. They lived all their lives in Rusk County, and their home is located on the Pine Hill Road between the Chapman Community and Pine Hill. Ten children were born to this union and are listed below.

Ross, born October 1, 1903, was a retired schoolteacher and rancher, having taught for forty years in Rusk County public schools, including Glenfawn, Compton, Chapman, Leverett’s Chapel and Kilgore. He never married. He died January 1, 1977.

Robert, born August 26, 1906, married Anna Lou Ballenger, and they live on the home place. They have one son, Hugh Bob. Robert is a farmer-rancher and carpenter.

Otis Wylie, born November 21, 1908, married Opal Heaton, and taught in the public schools of Texas for forty years. Opal was also a teacher and was teaching in the Henderson Public Schools at the time of her retirement. They have one son, Stan, and a daughter, Diane.

Cora Belle, born January 28, 1910, married Chester Duran. She taught school and worked in the office of the County Superintendent. They have two daughters, Jonan and Elizabeth.

Mamie, born February 18, 1912, married William Mozel Strong, who worked as a painter for the Ohio Oil Company in Carlisle, Texas and Haynesville, Louisiana, and while in their employ was killed in an industrial accident, on October 16, 1954. Mamie returned to Rusk County to live. They had two daughters, Sue Jean and Carol Kay.

Martha Jane (Janie), born May 16, 1914, married Fred L. Shumate in 1937. They lived in Rusk County until they moved to Carthage, Texas, where Fred was employed by the Champlin Oil Company. After retirement, they returned to Henderson and now live on Timothy Street. They have three sons: Terry, Don, and Charles.

Ouida, born August 31, 1916, married Grady Holt on August 21, 1940. Grady taught in Henderson schools until 1957, when the family moved to Shreveport. After retirement, they returned to Henderson and live on Shawnee Trail. They have one son, John Stephen (Steve); and a daughter, Mary Jean.

Grace, born July 12, 1919, married Harmon Ping in 1939. She was a teacher and homemaker. Harmon worked for Humble Oil Company in New London until his death on January 12, 1963. They had three sons; Ted, Tony, and Tim. Grace married Haskell Ray later and lived at Kingsville, Mariciabo, Venezuela, South America and at Katy, Texas. They are retired and presently live on Slaydon Street in Henderson.

Dorothy, born July 28, 1921, married Walter Ray Watson, Jr. She worked at the County Clerk’s office in Rusk County and other businesses in Henderson and Shreveport, Louisiana, where Walter Ray was employed as an oil well supply representative. They now live in Tyler, Texas. They have one son, Scott, who recently married and lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Billy, born October 3, 1926, married Wanda Robertson, in Austin, Texas. He married Wanda Robertson in Austin, Texas. He received his Master’s Degree in pharmacology from the University of Texas, and is an Associate Professor in charge of the Pharmacy School at the University of Texas in Austin. Billy and Wanda have one daughter, Clare, who is a pharmacist in Austin, and a son, Kenton, who is also in the Pharmacy School at the University of Texas.

Submitted by Mamie Strong