Beckham County, OK - Obits: William A. Barker, 1923
13 Aug 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

 ************************************************
 Copyright. All rights reserved.
 http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
 ************************************************

BARKER, WILLIAM A.
(23 Jan 1923, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
WILLIAM A. BARKER
William A. Barker, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Barker, of Sayre, was born at
Doxey, Oklahoma on May 16th, 1903, and died at the family residence on
North Second street on Sunday, January 21, 1923, after an illness of one
week.
"Willie" as he was familiarly known to all his friends, had been to
Oklahoma City with the Clinton National Guards where he had played in one
of the bands during the inaugural celebration of Gov. Walton.  Due to
unsatisfactory housing facilities, he contracted a severe cold which
developed into pneumonia of the very bad type.  The efforts of loving
hands and kind friends were unavailing to stay the grim reaper.
William A. Barker had grown to manhood in Sayre and his friends were
numbered by his acquaintances.  He graduated from Sayre High School in
1921 and that fall enrolled in the medical department of the State
University.  On account of a serious illness, he was compelled to give up
his college work.  He was a charter member of the Sayre band, in which
organization he will be sorely missed.  He joined the Methodist church at
the age of ten years and had been a faithful member of the church and
Sunday school since that time.
Death loves a shining mark, and in claiming Willie Barker for its own, the
community, as well as his family, have suffered a severe loss.  Of a
cheerful, happy disposition, he scattered sunshine all along his path. 
That his friends were legion, was attested by their devotion during his
illness and their floral tributes to his memory.  He had passed this way
and left behind him an influence which will live on, a blessing to all
with whom he came in contact.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Barker, two brothers, R.
H. Barker of Sayre and S. S. Barker of Tonopah, Nevada.  His remains were
laid to rest in the Doxey-Sayre cemetery Monday afternoon.  The entire
community extends it sympathy to the bereaved family in their hour of
sorrow.