|
Sharing our Links to the Past |
|
Back to Ann Lewis's Table of Contents William Ray McClellan 1902-1979) The Theodore Turley Family Book, pp. 361-362 I, William Ray McClellan, was born on Oct. 15, 1902 in Colonia Juarez, Mexico, the son of David Alvin and Esther Turley McClellan. At the age of seven we moved to Colonia Morelos, Sonora where we lived for about a year then we moved onto our farm in San Jose, about ten miles north of Morelos. It was on this farm that I learned to really work and how to work hauling wheat, going into the hills after cows and working in the garden and other chores. A revolution was going on in Mexico at that time and when conditions became too risky for comfort in August of 1912 we loaded our belongings into two wagons and left for Douglas, Arizona where we were safe from the rebels, and started a new life. After a few months we moved to Tucson where we cleared and plowed forty acres of land hoping to have a new home but a crooked real estate dealer caused us to leave and we moved back to Douglas, where we remained for a few months. In August of 1913 we moved to Mesa where we made our permanent home, with the exception of fifteen years spent in Chandler where we farmed until we lost out again and moved back to Mesa. I married Lydia Jane Hancock on Dec. 23, 1924; and on Dec. 18, 1925, our daughter Betty Jane was born in Mesa. On July 16, 1928 our son, William Ray Jr. was born and passed away the same day caused by the medication my wife was given. On May 14, 1930, our son Roy Alvin was born in Mesa. On Jan. 11, 1935 our son Donald was born in Mesa and passed away the next day. I was ordained a Deacon six months before I was 12 years old; then a Teacher at 14; and a Priest at 18. I was ordained an Elder by 0. S. Stapley in 1927; a Seventy by Oscar A. Kirkham; and a High Priest by Cleon C. Bullock in 1951. I held the offices of secretary of the Elders Quorum, counselor to the president of the Elders Quorum, president of the Elders Quorum, assistant Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School secretary. High Priests representative for genealogy, ward clerk, stake board in Scouting, and assistant to High Priests Group Leader. I worked in various capacities in Scouting for 38 years and taught Red Cross First Aid classes for several years and was Chairman of the First Aid Committee in Mesa for 22 years. My wife Jane has been active all through our married life as a Primary teacher, Primary stake board member, Relief Society stake board member, Relief Society presidency in the ward, MIA teacher, Sunday School teacher, visiting teacher and was a First Aid Instructor for the Red Cross in the early part of World War II with many of our Mesa people. She always supported me both in Church work and civic work. She worked as a cosmetic saleswoman and was a Practical Nurse at S.S. Hospital during World War II. Prior to World War II, I worked as a petroleum salesman for twelve years then worked as a fireman for the city of Mesa for over twenty years and upon retiring resumed my old love of carpentering and cabinet work where I am still active at seventy-four years of age. I thank the Lord from the bottom of my heart that my family has been so faithful and busy in His service and pray that they continue to do so. At present I am a veil worker in the Mesa Temple and try to do several endowments each month. I know of no work that I enjoy more. I am again working as assistant to another High Priests group leader.
Children of William Ray and Jane McClellan: Betty Jane McClellan Peterson William Ray McClellan, Jr. Roy Alvin McClellan Donald McClellan
[He died July 1, 1979 in Mesa, Arizona] |
|
©1998-2007 Wallace F. and Frances M. Gray. This web page may be freely linked. To contact us send to grayfox2@cox.net Their home page is http://geocities.datacellar.net/wallygray25/index.html |