EVAN J. WILLIAMS. GRANVILLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Evan J. Williams of Granville died at the Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, Tuesday morning at 3 o'clock. He had been operated upon two weeks ago and apparently was improving nicely when he was stricken with pneumonia Thursday night of last week. His weakened condition from the operation is thought to be reponsible for his death, as his heart could not fight off the unexpected pneumonia.Evan Williams was 63 years of age, having been born June 6th, 1877, in Blaenau Festiniog, North Wales, the son of John and Anne Williams. He came to the United States on July 4th, 38 years ago, and settled in Granville where he always lived.
August 15th, 1906, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Edmunds of West Pawlet, and to them were born two daughters; Elizabeth (Mrs. Ernest Walker) of Oneonta and Miriam, who teaches in Malvern, Long Island.
Mr. Williams was engaged as a slate maker soon as he arrived in this country and continued in that occupation until he entered the postoffice service at Granville 20 years ago. He became one of the most popular village carriers ever to serve the people of this village.
He was a faithful member and elder of the Welsh Presbyterian Church; taught a Sunday school class to the members of which he was devoted; he belonged to the True Ivorites, Odd Fellows and Woodmen and the National Association of Letter Carriers.
In addition to the widow and two daughters mentioned he is survived by two sisters; Mrs. Margaret Jones of Seattle, Washington and Miss Kate Williams of Liverpool, England; one brother Morris Williams of South Wales.
Funeral services will be held from the Presbyterian church Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. Ellis Lloyd officiating. Burial will be in Mettowee cemetery.
The bearers were Davil W. Pritchard, Griffith J. Griffiths, Hugh R. Thomas, John M. Davies, J LeRoy Potter and Harry S. Culver.
The passing of Evan Williams is a distinct loss to Granville and her people. No more popular man ever trod the walks of our village; no man was ever more happy to confer a favour; no man ever met Evan Williams who did not receive a greeting as cordial as a summer morning's sun. Sincerity was a characteristic with him; and along with that he possessed a jovial spirit and demeanor which endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. It is not often in life that we find a man so uniformly cordial; there are days when we feel disgruntled and perhaps pessimistic over the trials of life, but if Evan Williams ever nourished any such attitude of mind he never revealed it to his friends and aquaintances.
Well read, intelligent and couteous, he was a companion who was welcomed in any home or at any gathering. His religion was genuine, his conduct exemplary, his efficiency in his work pronounced - such a man is bound to be sorely missed.
We here in the Sentinel plant knew him well. He was helpful as a carrier in that he saw to it that subscribers got their papers regardless of the slips that might occur in mailing. It was the little things, so many times important, that he saw and cared for. He realized the importance of friendliness, and in so doing made Granville a better village for his presence.
We sympathize seeply with Mrs. Williams and the two daughters to whom he was devoted and of whom he was extremely proud. Devotion is something that comes from a great heart, and his great heart lavished a love for them all; and love and respect they held outstretched to their husband and father.
Mr. Williams' associates in the Granville postoffice were all fond of him. Pleasant to work with, he will be missed at his usual place where he has served loyally for so long a period of time. He radiated happiness and contentment among them all.