Recollections: Legends of Yesterday - Wade & Nannie Williams

­­This is a reprint of original articles by Hugh Woolley, a longtime resident and community leader of Graceville. Woolley published these articles in The Graceville News more than 20 years ago.

Originally published in the December 12, 2002 edition of The Graceville News.

“Mr. Wade”

Wade and Nannie Williams

Robert Wade Williams, (1893-1979) was the son of a pioneering Jackson and Washington County family and the continuation, along with his sisters, and brother, of a heritage of character, humility, family, courage, and spiritual values that are so well respected in Jackson County. While this humble man would have never been recognized was a great leader nor would he have wanted to be so recognized, he indeed was a great leader in the community of family, church, and work that made his life.

Mr. Wade, as he was fondly known by all who knew him, was a man of a great courage. Without a father at an early age due to the illness and death and being the oldest son, he became the “man of the house” and spent his early years looking after his mother and sisters and brother to the extent he was able. This value of courage stayed with him throughout his life as he faced temptation to give in to the “popular” thing to do and to remain true to his faith and heritage when opportunities to advance himself did not fit with his spiritual values.

He was also a man of great judgment. This was evidenced early when he married Nannie Eleanor Grant, daughter of another Jackson County pioneering family, and went on to enjoy 62 years of marriage until her death in 1977. In all these years together no son or daughter ever heard him speak a “cross” word to her.

And, in a very quiet way, he was a man of great love. Reserved in his expression of love, it was always there nevertheless. For his wife, for his sisters and brother, for his sons, and daughters, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Wade was also a man of great character. His word was his bond and when he looked a person in the eye and shook his hand, the contract with him was as solid as the most binding legal document. Not once in a lifetime was it ever said that he went back on his work. This character trait seemed to be prevalent in Jackson County.

By today’s measurements, Mr. Wade would not be considered an educated person, but he was very smart. He could eye hogs in a barnyard lot and give the farmer a price based on weight that it would boggle the mind. This was called “Jack in the bus trading” and was regularly used until the auction barn was built in Graceville for Monday livestock sales. He could also provide correct answers to complicated arithmetic questions often before the bookkeeper could when using the adding machine (no calculators in those days).

Mr. Wade contributed to the history of Jackson County as thousands of others have done over the years by living a life dedicated to the values of his belief, by producing eight productive children along with many of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren for at least part of their lives. This made Graceville and Jackson County a place that I have always been happy to call home.

By: Emory B. Williams

Eighth Born, Fourth Son

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