McCrary, William
Source: Dated Feb 13, 1946 - – unknown newspaper from Rosemarie Sutherlin’s obituary file
William Elry McCrary, only son of Hugh P. and Celia Jane Davis McCrary was born on a farm near Wallace, Indiana on March 8, 1871 and departed this life in the town of Kingman on Feb 13, 1946 at the age of 74 years 11 months and 5 days. When Will was but a small boy, his father left the farm and engaged in the mercantile business in Wallace, where Will completed the educational work offered in grade schools. Later they moved to Yeddo where Will grew to young manhood and had additional education in Bloomingdale Academy and Covington Normal. Early in the spring of 1900, he came with his father and Tine Philpott to Kingman where they opened the general store which Will continued to operate until a few weeks before his death. On Sept 29, 1900 he was united in marriage to Myrtle Leatherman. To this union were born four daughters and two sons, Loma Hicks of Kokomo; Frederick who departed this life on April 18, 1939, Edith Day of Gary, Lex of Fontana, Calif, Helen Beckley of Kokomo and Margaret Ellen Kelly of Sacramento, Calif. There are three grandchildren, Robert Duncan of Danville, Ind; Helen Laverne Carnahan of Dover, Delaware and Gordon Leon McCrary of Fontana, Calif and one great granddaughter, Sandra Rae Carnahan of Dover, Delaware. On Jan 29, 1901 he petitioned for membership in the Masonic Lodge of Kingman and on April 30 was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. The following December he was elected Junior Warden and served in that office 1902-1903. In 1904 he served as Senior Warden. The following two years, 1905-1906 he served as Worshipful Master. He learned the Masonic work so thoroughly and presided so efficiently that for many years, he was called upon to occupy the Master’s chair and preside during the conferring of degrees. The pattern of his life is that which is drawn upon the trestle board of Masonry. The teachings of the three great lights of Masonry, the Holy Bible, square and compass, he adopted as his rule and guide of life. Those who knew and understood Will McCrary best loved and respected him most.