Obituaries:  William Lee Hudson, Sabine Parish       H-325
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Feb 7, 1980
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net


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William Lee Hudson (Photo)

  A 17 year old Negreet youth was unable to escape a blaze, which
totally destroyed his family's home on the Negreet Road, early
Sunday morning, Feb. 3.

  Dying in the 4:30 a.m. blaze was William Lee Hudson, son of Mrs.
Elma Lee Holden Hudson of Negreet.

  The youth was a junior at Negreet High School, and according to
a family spokesman, had started to play on the basketball team.
He also sang in the Antioch Baptist Church choir.

  Young Hudson was apparently in the back bedroom of the six room
pine structure, when the blaze broke out. His body was found in
the front of the house, where he had apparently crawled, seeking
escape.

  Responding to the call were volunteers from the Negreet Fire
Dept. The Many Volunteer Fire Dept. was called in to assist.

  Sleeping in the home at the time of the blaze were Elma Lee
Hudson, her 97 year old father, Eldridge Holden; her brother,
Percy Lewis Holden, 33; her granddaughter, Bobbie Hudson, 19; and
4 month old child, Shemeka; and a cousin, Eli Sowells, 65.

  Mrs. Hudson's two other children, Calvin and Shirley, were not
at home.

  According to a family spokesman, the 97 year old man jumped
through the window to safety. The others were able to escape
through the door.

  Following the excitement of the blaze, and learning of the death
of his grandson, Mr. Holden suffered a heart attack. He is now a
patient in Fraser Hospital.

  The entire residence was destroyed by the blaze. A car parked
next to the 20 year old home was also demolished.

  Investigating the blaze was State Fire Marshall, Jack Hilton.

  An electric heater in the youth's room might be a possibility in
the blaze, which remains under investigation.

  Funeral services for the youth were held Monday, Feb. 4, at 2
p.m., in the Antioch Baptist Church of Negreet. Burial was in the
church cemetery, under the direction of the Jenkins Funeral Home
of Many.