Name: Harold Williams Sr.
Age: 100
Birth date and place: Oct. 12, 1914; Marshall
Family: Oldest of six children born to Elihue and Leola Williams Sr., with one surviving brother; married to Laurean Williams from 1934 until her death in 1940; married to Ada Mae Williams from 1943 until her death in 1989; three children, Ira Williams Sr. (deceased), Shirley Mann of Denton and Harold Williams Jr. of Los Angeles; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild.
Former occupations: 21 years at a sawmill in Marshall (first job ever); two years at a shipping warehouse in Dallas; drafted into the Army in 1944, barber; Morrison Milling in the late 1940s and early 1950s; retired after 12 years at Moore’s Paper Co.
Education: sixth grade.
Place of worship: Mount Calvary Baptist Church
My favorite movie of all time: Red River starring John Wayne
During the Great Depression, I: was a teenager working in the fields. Things began to change in about 1935 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted Social Security. That’s when I got my first job.
During World War II, I: went into the Army at Camp Walden on Sept. 10, 1943. The most exciting thing I remember is about Capt. Spinner and my first day there.
I wish I knew how to: play the piano.
Nobody knows I: I’m not going to tell it now! If you stay with the Lord, you can’t go wrong.
I’m happiest when: my family comes together — four generations.
I regret: getting up early, like 7 or 8 o’clock. If you live a long life, live right and believe, the Lord will let you sleep peacefully.
The most important thing I’ve learned in 100 years: In my 100 years, the most important thing I learned is when God set me free, he changed me.
If you are 99 years old or older and are ready to celebrate another birthday, or if you have a friend or loved one who is about to celebrate a 100th birthday, please let the Denton Record-Chronicle know. Email drc@dentonrc.com or call 940-566-6884.
