Etowah-Morgan County AlArchives Obituaries.....Hudson, William James "Steamboat Bill" August 18, 1967 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Claudie Hudson claudiehudson@yahoo.com November 26, 2014, 8:46 pm Birmingham News Article from The Birmingham News August 25, 1967 Whistle toots last call for 'Steamboat Bill BY PAT HOUTZ, News staff writer DECATUR - "Steamboat Bill", an ancient mariner who spent the last days of his colorful life in Decatur, died at his home this week. His passing marked the end of an era. William J. Hudson, thought to be the last of the authentic riverboat captains in this area, was also known as "Captain Billy." He was born in Gadsden in 1886, spent nearly all of his life on the river boats, and died of cancer. "Steamboat Bill" was famous in the Decatur area for his tall tales of his own experiences on the river and stories he had heard of others who had spent their life on the Tennessee. SINCE HIS retirement about 10 years ago, he kept busy with his hobby and business of raising crickets, worms, rabbits and quail. According to surviving children (there are 11), he came to Decatur when he was "just a little tyke" and immediately started working for the American Oak and Leather Co. His job was carrying water for carpenters who built wooden barges and tow boats. Later he learned to caulk boats and barges for this company, which established in Decatur the first boatways on the Tennessee River between Chattanooga and Paducah, Ky. After working for a while helping to build dams along the river he became a pilot. He piloted the first boat to go through the draw of Keller Memorial Bridge in Decatur. DURING WORLD WAR I he built and repaired ships in Texas. After the war he hurried back to Decatur to build and operate boats himself. His first boat was a stern wheeler called "Fanny." During the 1920's his boats carried freight from the mouth of the Tennessee River above Knoxville down to the Ohio River at Cairo, Ill. During the 1930's he operated fleets of mussel boats on the Tennessee River and was in charge of the first tugboats used by TVA. During World War II he was a test pilot for Ingall Shipyard. He tested the first ocean-going Liberty Ships built inland and was pilot on the "Tommy Hawk" for the Atomic Energy Commission at Oak Ridge, Tenn. Later he served as captain of the luxury yacht "Tennessean Lady," owned by the late Silliman Evans, publisher of the Nashville Tennessean. MR. HUDSON is survived by seven sons, four daughters, 27 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. The last three months of his life were spent in Baugh-Wiley-Smith Hospital, but he asked to brought home for the last few days. Married twice, he had outlived both of his wives and one of his five daughters. Additional Comments: Bridge in Decatur name for William James Hudson. Decatur Daily August 7, 2005 CHATTERBOX Wendy N. McDougal ‘Steamboat Bill’s’ clan gathers for family reunion Hudson reunion If you have ever driven over the bridge heading from Decatur towards Athens or Huntsville, chances are you have seen the small but distinguished sign that reads: "Steamboat Bill" Hudson Memorial Bridge. I have seen it hundreds of times and have often wondered, "Who was this man known as 'Steamboat Bill?' " Some individuals who could probably best answer that for me and anyone else who may wonder were together recently, and I am sure "Steamboat Bill's" name came up just a few times. On July 23 at Point Mallard Park, descendants of Jessie Williams Hudson and William James "Steamboat Bill" Hudson joined together for a family reunion. Covered dishes with Southern baked beans, potato salad, and many others filled the tables. A cooker manned by Willis Hudson carried the aroma of grilled chicken, hot dogs and barbecued venison. Desserts of all varieties rounded out the menu. In attendance were Mr. and Mrs. Hudson's four children and their families and their descendants. In all, 43 attended. What a legacy the Hudsons left. Here's who was there: daughter Opal Hudson Cox and husband Bobby Cox, granddaughter Cindy Cox Farnam with Katherine and Daniel; granddaughter Beth Cox Brecher with husband Chris and great-grandchildren Benjamin and Sarah; and granddaughter Amanda Cox and guest David Lolloyd (cool, he's from Birmingham, England); daughter Virginia Hudson Vinson and husband Carl; grandson Jimmy Vinson and wife Karen; great-granddaughter Mary Grace; granddaughter Angela Vinson Parker and husband Charles; great- granddaughters Jessica and Rebecca; granddaughter Carla Vinson Beardslee and husband Jim; daughter Rose Hudson Edwards and husband Bobby, grandson Bryan Edwards and wife Sue; great-grandsons Matthew and Andrew; granddaughter Kim Edwards Jolly and husband Lonis; son Willis James Hudson and wife Billie; granddaughter Amy Hudson Pitt and husband Billy; great -grandsons Hudson and Will; granddaughter Jan Hudson Hold and husband Mike; great-grandson Jason; and granddaughter Julie Hudson. The reunion continued through the night at the home (and pool) of Virginia Vinson. It is rumored that the out-of-town guests dined at least twice over the weekend at Big Bob Gibson's to get their barbecue "fix" for the summer. Don't you just love family? Sounds like a great time was had by all. United States Census, 1930 Wells, Madison County, Alabama Household Gender Age Birthplace Head William J Hudson M 70 Alabama Wife Sarah E Hudson F 67 Alabama Daughter Nettie W Hudson F 25 Alabama File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/etowah/obits/h/hudson2167gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb