OBIT: William T. WILLIAMS, 1930, formerly of Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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WILLIAM T. WILLIAMS

Tragic Death of William T. Williams
His Dead Body Found Hanging in Attic of His Home in Johnstown

  William T. Williams, a former resident of Salisbury and Meyersdale, was found 
dead as the result of suicide by hanging in the attic of his late home at 773 
Somerset Street, Johnstown, early Sunday morning.
  Despondency caused by ill health, which permitted him to work only part time 
is believed to have prompted his rash act.
  He spent Saturday evening in his home with members of his family, apparently 
feeling better and more cheerful than usual.  He did not do or say anything 
during the evening to give his wife or daughter, who spent the evening with him, 
any cause for alarm.  He retired earlier than Mrs. Williams, and when the latter 
retired about 11 o'clock he appeared to be sleeping soundly.
  About 4 o'clock in the morning Mrs. Williams awoke and noticed that her 
husband had left his bed.  The clothing which he had removed when he retired 
were still by his bedside, so she inferred he had merely risen to go to the 
bathroom and would soon return to bed.  But as time passed and he did not 
return, she got up to investigate.  Not finding him in the bathroom she looked 
elsewhere.  Alarmed by his absence she called the daughter who was a member of 
the household and she joined in the search.  Not finding him anywhere on the 
first or second floor, a young granddaughter called attention to the fact that 
the light was turned on in the attic.  Proceeding to the attic, Mrs. Williams 
and daughter found his dead body hanging from a rafter, he having used a clothes 
line to hang himself.
  Owing to the fact that Mr. Williams seemed to be in a sane state of mind and 
showed no sign of mental distress or abstraction when he retired for the night, 
his impulse for self-destruction is hard to account for.  It is surmised that he 
had a troubled dream which may have actuated him to take the course he did, and 
that he probably was in sort of a trance or stupor when he made away with 
himself.
  He was devoted to his family and during his entire lifetime had a genteel and 
affable disposition which made him many friends.  He was a man of industrious 
habits and exemplary character and was a faithful member of the Brethren Church 
for many years.
  William T. Williams was a son of the late Thomas Williams, one of the pioneer 
coal mine operators of the Elk Lick region, who operated a big vein mine on the 
J. M. Hay farm at West Salisbury during the early 80's and also conducted the 
West Salisbury Hotel.
  William T., the second son of Thomas Williams, came to West Salisbury as a boy 
and in his young manhood married Miss Mary Livengood, eldest daughter of the 
late Jeremiah J. Livengood of Salisbury, and engaged in the livery stable 
business in Salisbury.  Later he moved to Meyersdale and conducted a livery 
stable here for some years.  More than 25 years ago the family moved to 
Johnstown where, in partnership with his brother, Morgan Williams, he continued 
in the livery business until the advent of the automobile put most of the livery 
stables out of business.
  About 20 years ago, Mr. Williams entered the employ of the Lorain Steel 
Company at Johnstown, and was employed in the shipping department of the 
Bethlehem Steel Corporation of the Franklin division at the time of his death.  
He was 69 years of age and was in poor health the last few years of his life.
  He is survived by his wife, a brother, Morgan E. Williams, of Pittsburgh; four 
children, Miss Anna, of Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Irene Guise, in the parental 
home, Allen L., of Akron, O., and G. Harold Williams, of New Philadelphia, O.  
Seven grandchildren also survive.
  Mr. Williams was a member of the First Baptist Church of Johnstown and of the 
Modern Woodmen of America.
  Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the 
family home by his pastor, Rev. Charles H. Ashman, after which his body was 
taken to Salisbury in a funeral car for burial in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery at that 
place.  Members of the bereaved family, Rev. Ashman and some friends accompanied 
the remains to Salisbury, where many of his relatives and friends of the 
deceased from Salisbury and Meyersdale and vicinity paid their last respects.  
The burial service was read by Rev. Ashman.
  The bereaved family have the sympathy of a large circle of friends who were 
shocked by the death of Mr. Williams coming in such a tragic manner.

Meyersdale Republican, October 23, 1930