Obituaries: Rufus Shelby Walsh, 1948, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: January 2, 1948 Winnfield News-American Masonic Rites For Rufus Walsh Held Here Saturday 69 Year Old Civic, Business Leader Succumbs Friday Funeral services with Masonic rites were held Saturday for Rufus Shelby Walsh, 69, prominent Winnfield business man and civic leader who died in an Alexandria hospital Friday after a lengthy illness. Rites were conducted by Rev. Fred S. Flurry, pastor of the First Methodist Church, assisted by Rev. Alwin Stokes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, and interment was in the Winnfield Cemetery under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home. Full Masonic rites were conducted by Reverend Stokes and members of Eastern Star Lodge No. 151, F. & A. M., of which the deceased had been a member for 39 years. Pallbearers were W. U. Drewett, D. L. Hoffman, J. W. Kennedy, Rayford Lewis, Dudley Shell, and W. B. Willis. The deceased was born in Jackson, Tenn., but as a child was taken to Arkadelphia, Ark., where he grew to manhood. In 1907 he came to Winnfield with his brother in law, O. E. Hodge, a pioneer sawmill operator here. Soon after coming to Winnfield he married Miss Bessie Tannehill, daughter of the late R. L. Tannehill, and has lived here ever since. During his active business career he was interested in a number of enterprises, chiefly sawmill, retail hardware, and furniture concerns, and he was a funeral director for many years. He was active in church and Masonic circles and a leader in civic improvements in this community. He also served as clerk and as a member of the Winnfield city council and for many years was on the board of trustees of the local high school. As a Master Mason he was a member of the Lodge for 39 « years, 32 of which were spent in elective office and two in appointive office. He was appointed Junior Deacon in 1911 and Senior Deacon in 1912, and elected Junior Warden in 1913, Senior Warden in 1914, and Worshipful Master in 1916 and in 1917 served as secretary through 1944 and as acting secretary from June, 1945 through the end of the year. He was appointed chaplain in 1945. In addition to his affiliation with Eastern Star Lodge he was a member of Winnfield Chapter No. 59, Royal Arch Masons for many years and of the Bethlehem Commandery No. 20, Knights Templar for seven years. Survivors include his widow; five sons, Shelby Walsh of Kilgore, Texas, Richard L. and George Sellinger Walsh of Urania; Joe B. Walsh of Mobile, Alabama, and Donovan H. Walsh of Winnfield; and a sister, Mrs. Fay Baker of Ruston.