Individual Details

His birth certificate filed 7 Apr 1910, does not give his name - only that he was born alive, the son of Robt C. Haden, and Audrey Earl White. His father listed as a merchant.

John Haden story:
When William was in High School (school went through 11 grades only) he was in study hall when a group of elementary children were practicing the "Star Spangled Banner". Willie stood up and wouldn't sit down until the song ended. He was asked what his parents would say about his behavior. His reply: "They'd think they had a very patriotic son!"

May 30, 1947 Ladonia News listed graduates up through that year. William graduated in 1928, along with neighbor Bernice Fuller, his best friend Bill Hulsey, cousin Anna Bell Wishard and one of Lois's Fry cousins, Bessie. I have his graduation invitation and all the cards, apparently from his gifts. Commencement was held Friday evening, May twenty fifth at eight-fifteen o'clock, High School Auditorium. I also have a copy of the Senior play, "At the End of the Rainbow", a College Comedy in Three Acts, by Lindsey Barbee. William played the part of Stanley Palmer, also called "Hawkins, the Butler". The Play was presented 26 Dec 1927.

During the school 1928-29, William attended North Texas Agricultural College. It has formerly been a military school and until 1933 had a high school unit. I have pictures of William in a military appearing uniform. One letter to his grandmother states that he would rather be studying art - in the most beautiful handwriting. He also thanked his grandmother for the candy she sent him. That letter as well as those written to him while he was in business college had been saved in a candy box - assorted chocolates from Jacobs of New Orleans. I very much suspect this is the box that came from his grandmother - the thank you letter is addressed to Mrs. J. B. Haden, Sr. of Ladonia, Texas, dated 16 Dec 1929. A piece of tape on the bottom of the box reads "Perisha(ble) PLEAS(E)... From R. C. Had (en) Low (quite possibly Lowell, Arkansas).

Apparently sometime in 1929 or 1930 William entered Metropolitan Business College in Dallas. I have copies of a lot of letters his parents sent to him, beginning with 8 Sep 1930 when he was applying to re-enter the school. He also asked his father about attending Texas A & M but was told that wasn't a good idea. Over the next couple of years, he did attend the business college, dropping out on occasion to help his father in his business. The letters end as he is preparing to take exams to graduate on May of 1931. I don't know if he did pass or not. He told us years later that he had worked at a bank in Dallas after attending business school but had to leave to go home and run his father's business. He seemed to consider this a turning point in his life. Many of the letters speak to him both about his spending habits and his failure to apply himself. His father discusses his own ill health in nearly every letter. They are altogether quite sad.

Lois and Bill Haden eloped. They were married at 5:30 PM on the 25th day of Nov. 1932 by Rev. Ernest Quick, minister of the 1st Baptist Church of Hugo OK. Witnesses: were Mrs. Quick and Winifred Quick. The marriage was recorded on p.179 of Book 23 in Choctaw Co OK. A note by Lois in her "wedding book" said the weather was "a beautiful crisp autumn day".

William's grandfather Joseph B. Haden, noted in his diary for this day, "Our grandson William, married."

1940 Census. Justice Prec 4, Ladonia, Fannin, TX, ED 74-21, Hh 80.
William Chas. Haden living on Church Street. He was renting at the rate of $6 per month. W. C. was age 29 and had gone to High school 4 years. They were living in the same place, Ladonia, in 1935.
Lois, wife, gave the information. She was 24, had two years of high school.
James Chas, son age 4; Robert D., son, age 1.

16 Oct 1940 World War II Draft Registration
William Charles Haden, P.O. Box 247, Springdale, Ark. (Ladonia, Fannin, TX marked out), age 30, born 7 Apr 1910 in Ladonia, Fannin Co, TX. Mr. Robert Charles Haden, Father, of Ladonia, will always know his address - he was also his employer. 5'11" tall, 150 lbs. blue eyes, blonde hair.

I found his Draft Classification cards for World War II. In July of 1943, he was classified as II-A because he had dependants; by Sept this was no longer a legitimate exception so he was reclassified as I-A, or available for military service, but in Oct of 1943, William was classified II-C - deferred because his occupation was necessary to farm labor. Both his brothers served - Robert in the Navy and John as a Marine pilot.

1950 Census. Springdale, Washington Co, AR, Hh 250
703 Maple
William C. Haden, 40 b. TX, Company Ower, Wholesale Fruit & Vegetable Co
Lois G., wife, 34, b. TX
Jim C., son, 14, b. AR
Robert D., son, 11, b. TX
Ralph W., son, b. Oct 1949, AR

Obituary
WILLIAM HADEN
William C. "Bill" Haden, 82, of Springdale died Friday, Sept 11, 1992, at his home. Born April 7, 1910 at Landonia [sic-Ladonia], Texas, the son of Robert Charles and Audrey White Haden, he was a retired partner of the Lowell Seed Company. He was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Haden, in 1988.
Survivors are three sons, Jim Haden of Little Rock, Don Haden of Wetumpka, Ala., and Ralph Haden of Omaha, Neb.; two brothers, Robert Haden of Springdale and John Haden of Bedford, Texas; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Bluff Cemetery with the Rev. Burton A. Miley officiating. Arrangements are by Sisco Chapel of Springdale.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to NARTI, 5835 W. Sunset, Springdale, 72762.

Buried Bluff Cemetery, Springdale, AR

Birth	7 Apr 1910	Ladonia, Fannin County, Texas
Marriage	25 Nov 1932	Hugo, Choctaw County, Oklahoma - LOIS GENEVA PIPPIN
Death	11 Sep 1992	Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas

Spouse	LOIS GENEVA PIPPIN (1915 - 1988)
Child	James Charles "Jim" Haden (1935 - 1996)
Child	ROBERT DONALD "Don" HADEN (1939 - 2004)
Child	Billie Lois Haden (1941 - 1941)
Child	Living

Father	ROBERT CHARLES HADEN (1885 - 1964)
Mother	AUDREY EARL WHITE (1887 - 1984)
Sibling	Ralph White Haden (1912 - 1913)
Sibling	Robert Haden (1914 - 2000)
Sibling	John Haden (1921 - 2010)

Notes