Obituaries: William Oscar Averett, 1965, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: September 30, 1965 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American

William Oscar Averett, 86, building contractor in Winnfield since 1906, died
in a local hospital at 1:20 a.m. Tuesday after a long illness.  One of a
family of ten children, he was a native of Bienville Parish, having been born
February 18, 1879.

Last rites were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the First Baptist Church
with the pastor, Dr. W. L. Holcomb, officiating.  Burial was in the old
Winnfield Cemetery under direction of Southern Funeral Home.

Acting as pallbearers were James Watts, Houston Gates, George Brewton, Arnett
Garriss, Matt Milam, Jr., and Willard Harlan.

Survivors include his wife of Winnfield, one son, Rev. Merle Averett of
Jackson, Miss.; one daughter, Mrs. R. P. (Kathleen) Goodner of Oklahoma City,
Okla.; two sisters, Mrs. C. E. Sompayrac of Shreveport, and Mrs. W. J. Baker
of Pochahontas, Miss; one grandson, Frank C. Averett, Lexington, Ky.; one
granddaughter, Carolyn Rae Strickland, Dallas, Texas; and two great
grandchildren.

Mr. Averett was married to Miss Alma Henrietta Perkins of Winn Parish November
28, 1906, and the established their home in Winnfield at that time.  He was
prominent in church and civic affairs, serving as a deacon in the First
Baptist Church.  During the state administration of the late Huey P. Long, he
served one term as a member of the city council.

Mr. Averett's first construction in Winnfield was the home of Charlie Smith
on Center Street, and his last job was the present building of the First
Methodist Church.  Among his major projects were both the last two Methodist
Church buildings, the First Baptist Church, its annex and both its pastoriums,
the brick buildings in the O. K. Allen block, Main Street, the old News-
American buildings, Jones Street, remodeling of the Hixson Bros. Funeral Home,
and residences all over Winnfield and the area.