Obituaries:  William Hamilton Ponder, Sabine Parish       P-536
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Dec 16, 1976
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net




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Judge William Hamilton Ponder (Photo)

  Death claimed Judge William Hamilton Ponder, 81, at 4 a.m.,
Saturday, Dec. 11. Judge Ponder, who had been a patient in
Schumpert Hospital in Shreveport for the past 18 days, succumbed
to a heart attack.

  Judge Ponder carved a successful career in Sabine Parish,
serving as Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District for 30 years.
Admired by all, Judge Ponder had gained the respect of his
colleagues for his honesty and fairness during his lengthy
career.

  Judge Ponder was born on April 25, 1896, to Silas D. and Cora
(Templeman) Ponder. He was reared in Sabine Parish, where he
attended public school He was a graduate in the class of 1912 at
Many High School.

  Following high school graduation, he entered Louisiana State
University in Baton Rouge. He graduated from LSU in 1916, with a
Bachelor of Arts degree, and law credits. After completing his
college course, he served as a member of the First Louisiana
Infantry (in a company composed mostly of LSU students) on the
Mexican border in 1916.

  At the outbreak of World War I, he reentered the service in
April, 1917. He passed the examination for a Commission in the
regular Army of the United States, and on August 9, 1917, was
commissioned a second lieutenant. After he was commissioned, he
took a special course at the Officer's School at Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, and graduated. He resigned his commission in
1919, to return to private life. He resumed his study of law, and
was admitted to the bar in 1923.

  Mr. Ponder entered the practice of law with his father, Silas D.
Ponder, in Many, until the death of the senior member of the firm
in 1933. He continued practice under the same firm name for the
next three years.

  In 1936, Mr. Ponder was one of five candidates for Judge of the
Eleventh Judicial District of Louisiana, which was composed of
DeSoto, Sabine, and Vernon parishes. He was nominated in the
first primary, leading the ticket by a large majority, and was
subsequently elected.

  In 1942, he was again elected to this office by a large
majority. He was unopposed in all other elections during his 30
years service.

  Judge Ponder was the senior District Judge of the State at the
time of his retirement in 1966. In addition to his regular
service, he also served by assignment on the Fourth Circuit Court
of Appeal, the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, and the Criminal
District of Orleans Parish. He also served two terms on the
Judicial Council of the Louisiana Supreme Court.

  Judge Ponder was a member of the First Baptist Church of Many.
Fraternally, he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons of
Many, and the American Legion Post of Many, of which he was past
commander. He served for a number of years as Vice-President and
Director of the Sabine State Bank and Trust Company in Many.

  A quiet, private person, Judge Ponder was an ardent sportsman,
who enjoyed hunting and fishing.

  Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Audrey Ponder of Many; one
sister, Miss Lillian Ponder of Mer Rouge; and a host of nieces
and nephews.

  Funeral services were held at the Many First Baptist Church at 2
p.m., Sunday, Dec. 12. The Rev. Rod Smith officiated.

  Pallbearers were J. E. (Pat) Wright, Lee Jordan, George Boyens,
Horace Tompkins, J. D. Salter, E. M. Patrick, Jack Carmichael,
and T. M. Phillips. Honorary pallbearers were Judge Jack E.
Burgess, Tom Fore Phillips, Bob Clark, Joe Luster, Raymond
Barnhill, and members of the Bench and the Bar of Sabine Parish.

  Burial was in the Fort Jesup Cemetery, under the direction of
the Warren Meadows Funeral Home.