Individual Details
William Bennett "Uncle Billy" Sullivan
(3 May 1846 - 12 May 1938)
From www.findagrave.com
From the May 20, 1938, Waurika News-Democrat
WILLIAM BENNETT SULLIVAN
William Bennett Sullivan, one of Waurika's best honored and respected citizens, passed away at the Oklahoma Confederate Soldiers' Home at Ardmore, Thursday, May 12, the advanced age of 92 years. Uncle Billy, as he was familiarly known among friends, had lived in the old soldiers' home for the past two years. Death came as the result of a general breakdown due to his advanced age. He was active until the last and had been to Waurika only ten days previous to his death to visit his daughter.
The body was brought to Waurika for funeral services, which were conducted from the Christian Church here Sunday afternoon by the pastor, Rev. G. LYLE SMITH, a friend of long standing. Interment was made in the cemetery at Ryan by the side of his wife who preceded him in death in March 1930.
Mr. Sullivan was born at Nashville, Tennessee May 3, 1846. At the age of three years he moved with his parents to Searcy County, Arkansas where he grew to manhood and married. In 1863 when he was a lad of but 17 years, he enlisted with his father in the army of the Southern Confederacy and served with distinction until the end of the war.
In June 1869, he was married to Miss MALINDA JANE CASH and to this union eight children were born, four of who survive and were here to attend the funeral of their father: Mrs. J. M. RUFF of Waurika, Mrs. W. T. HINDS of Milburn, F. A. and W. C. SULLIVAN of Lawton. There are 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Uncle Billy became a Christian in early life and united with the Church of Christ, living a consistent Christian through all the years. He was a great student of the Bibl and made a life long study of the Book. He was also well informed on history and government and was an interesting conversationalist on these and other topics. His death marks the passing of one among the last of that sturdy group of pioneers that blazed the trail in the West and are responsible of the development of all that is best in our civilization. His life may be summed up in the statement that he was a good citizen in all that the term meant, in his home, in his church, in his community and in his nation. He stood for what was right and best. We need more like him.
The Sullivan family moved to what is now Jefferson County, Oklahoma in 1893, locating on a farm near Terral. At the opening of the Kiowa-Comanche country in 1902 he settled on a school land lease northwest of Waurika which he afterwards bought and which remained his home until he retired and moved to Waurika.
For many years he was a familiar figure about Waurika, always jolly and with a kind word for everybody. Few men had more friends.
From the May 20, 1938, Waurika News-Democrat
WILLIAM BENNETT SULLIVAN
William Bennett Sullivan, one of Waurika's best honored and respected citizens, passed away at the Oklahoma Confederate Soldiers' Home at Ardmore, Thursday, May 12, the advanced age of 92 years. Uncle Billy, as he was familiarly known among friends, had lived in the old soldiers' home for the past two years. Death came as the result of a general breakdown due to his advanced age. He was active until the last and had been to Waurika only ten days previous to his death to visit his daughter.
The body was brought to Waurika for funeral services, which were conducted from the Christian Church here Sunday afternoon by the pastor, Rev. G. LYLE SMITH, a friend of long standing. Interment was made in the cemetery at Ryan by the side of his wife who preceded him in death in March 1930.
Mr. Sullivan was born at Nashville, Tennessee May 3, 1846. At the age of three years he moved with his parents to Searcy County, Arkansas where he grew to manhood and married. In 1863 when he was a lad of but 17 years, he enlisted with his father in the army of the Southern Confederacy and served with distinction until the end of the war.
In June 1869, he was married to Miss MALINDA JANE CASH and to this union eight children were born, four of who survive and were here to attend the funeral of their father: Mrs. J. M. RUFF of Waurika, Mrs. W. T. HINDS of Milburn, F. A. and W. C. SULLIVAN of Lawton. There are 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Uncle Billy became a Christian in early life and united with the Church of Christ, living a consistent Christian through all the years. He was a great student of the Bibl and made a life long study of the Book. He was also well informed on history and government and was an interesting conversationalist on these and other topics. His death marks the passing of one among the last of that sturdy group of pioneers that blazed the trail in the West and are responsible of the development of all that is best in our civilization. His life may be summed up in the statement that he was a good citizen in all that the term meant, in his home, in his church, in his community and in his nation. He stood for what was right and best. We need more like him.
The Sullivan family moved to what is now Jefferson County, Oklahoma in 1893, locating on a farm near Terral. At the opening of the Kiowa-Comanche country in 1902 he settled on a school land lease northwest of Waurika which he afterwards bought and which remained his home until he retired and moved to Waurika.
For many years he was a familiar figure about Waurika, always jolly and with a kind word for everybody. Few men had more friends.
Events
| Birth | 3 May 1846 | Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee | |||
| Death | 12 May 1938 | Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma | |||
| Burial | Ryan Cemetery, Ryan, Jefferson County, Oklahoma |
Families
| Spouse | Malinda Jane Cash (1850 - 1930) |
| Child | Minnie Bell Sullivan (1871 - 1963) |