To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Texas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Texas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 8/10/22 • Approved: 8/10/22 • Last Updated: 8/13/22 • R530774-G530772-S3
Clarence C. Williams
January 26, 1912-September 9, 1987
Jesslyn Hodges Williams
February 5, 1914-November 2, 2007
Married February 19, 1934
*Photo, courtesy of Mary (Coggin) Russell
*Obituary Clarence C. Williams
(Published in Borger News Herald, Thurs, September 10, 1987)
Clarence C. Williams, 75, died Tuesday in Panhandle.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday in the First United Methodist Church, Panhandle, with Dr. Clifford Trotter, Amarillo district superintendent of the Amarillo district of the United Methodist Churches officiating.
Trotter will be assisted by David Edwards, pastor of the Panhandle United Methodist Church.
Burial is scheduled for 2 p.m. at West Park Cemetery in Hereford, under the direction of Smith-Fox Funeral Home, Panhandle.
Williams was born Jan. 26, 1926 in Durant, Okla.
He moved to Collingsworth County with his family in 1921 and then to Carson County in 1924, where he lived on a farm near Groom.
In 1931, the family moved to White Deer.
Williams married Jesslyn Hodges in White Deer, Feb. 19, 1934 after graduating from Wayland Baptist College.
In 1943, he was elected Carson County sheriff and tax assessor-collector, a position he held until 1955 when he was elected county judge.
He retired in 1983 with 40 years of service to Carson County, a bench-mark in that area's history.
Williams was very active in the community during his 63 years in Carson County.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Panhandle, serving as chairman of the boards of stewards and trustees. He was a founding member and vice chairman of the board of trustees for the Carson County Square House Museum at Panhandle.
Also, he initiated the endowment fund for the museum, stating that he and Mrs. Williams would donate 10 percent of all endowment money raised.
They received the "Very Special Golden Nail Award" of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce for their contribution to the arts.
In 1965, he was named Panhandle Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen and cited for work with the Adobe Walls Boy Scouts of America, the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, Carson County Library System, Texas State Historical Foundation, Carson County Historical Commission and American Red Cross.
He was a charter member of the United Peace fficers [sic] of America and served as treasurer until 1984. He also served as president of that organization.
He was a life member of the National Association of Probate Judges, president of the Panhandle Lions Club and served as deputy district governor, zone chariman [sic] and director of membership for Lions District 2 T-1. He was a member of Carson Lodge 1167 and of the Panhandle IOOF lodge.
Survivors include his wife Jesslyn; four daughters, Robin Cummings, Kay Martin and Shelia Bulla, all of Amarillo, and Brenda Hofmann of Shamrock; a son, Roger of Hereford; four brothers, Alvin, Clifton and Horace, all of White Deer and Oscar Lee of Hereford; a sister, Mrs. Russ Howard of White Deer; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The body will lie in state at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity.
*Obituary Jesslyn Hodges Williams
Jesslyn Hodges Williams, 93, of Amarillo died Friday, Nov. 2, 2007.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Boxwell Brothers Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. Stan Cosby officiating. Graveside services will be in West Park Cemetery in Hereford.
Mrs. Williams was born Feb. 5, 1914, in Clarendon, a member of a Carson County pioneer family, to Walter and Earline Hodges. She was educated in White Deer public schools. On Feb. 19, 1934, in White Deer, she married Clarence C. Williams in her parent's home. In 1943, Jesslyn and her family moved to Panhandle where she resided until 1988, when she moved to Amarillo.
Mrs. Williams was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church. She was a member of Mother's Self Culture Club, Parent Teacher Association, Federated Women's Club, a Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and sponsor of the Methodist Youth Fellowship.
Mrs. Williams had a great love for children and a passion for helping others. In 1985, Mrs. Williams and her husband were recognized for their contribution to the arts by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce with a very special Golden Nail Award.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept. 9, 1987; her parents; two sisters, Jewell Johnson and Dorthea Richards; and two brothers, Walter Hodges Jr. and Aubyn Hodges.
Survivors include her children, Robin Cummings, Kay and Lewis Martin and Sheila Bulla, all of Amarillo, Roger and Judy Williams of Hereford, and Brenda and Fred Hofmann of Shamrock; 11 grandchildren, Barry and Caytie Martin, Lisa Osborn, and Kelly Gandy, all of Amarillo, Rob and Darla Bulla of Canyon, Mark Cummings of Maple Valley, Wash., Cindy and Jack Ball of Austin, Kim and Dr. Stefan Hacker of Grove, Okla., Dr. Heath and Erin Hofmann of State College, Pa., Lance and Shae Martin of Farmersville, Holly and Todd Middlemis of Los Angeles and Chris Williams of Houston; and 22 great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be to Panhandle United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, Methodist Children's Home in Waco, Square House Museum or a favorite charity.
Amarillo Globe-News, Nov. 4, 2007
Contributed on 8/10/22 by neldapat
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 530774