I've decided to forward this message to the Hanks, Dodson, Neville and Wolverton E-Mail Lists. As Wayne Stafford has said, Bill Randolph was a prince of a guy. He had an amazing knowledge of the Hanks, Woolverton, Fitzgerald, Dodson, Williams, Neville, and related lines. He worked heavily with Glady Hanks Johnson on her book, GENEALOGY OF THE HANKS AND ALLIED FAMILIES, which was published in 1965. This book primarily deals with the descendants of Moses Hanks (1746-1831) who was a Patriot of the American Revolution. He contributed to Bonnie Woolverton's book, ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS OF BENJAMIN G. WOOLVERTON, SR., published in 1983 and to Royal Allen Wolverton's book on the DESCENDANTS OF ANDREW WOOLVERTON, published in 1986. He also contributed valuable information to THE DODSON (DOTSON) FAMILY OF NORTH FARNHAM PARISH, RICHMOND COUNTY, VIRGINIA: HISTORY AND GENEALOGY OF THEIR DESCENDANTS by Mrs. Sherman Williams and Rev. S. E. Lucas, Jr., a comprehensive 2-volume book which was completed in 1988. In addition, he contributed to Joseph B. Neville's book, A 370-YEAR HISTORY OF ONE NEVILLE FAMILY (1612-1982), which was also published in 1988. I'm sure there are other publications which Bill Randolph contributed to. He was an avid genealogist for most of his life. Bill helped me to uncover a lot of information on the Robert Williams family of Maury County, TN. Robert Williams (1776-1837) was a son-in-law of Moses Hanks, and was married to my ancestor, Elizabeth (Hanks) Williams (1782-1833). Their daughter, Agatha Williams (1802-1874) married James Matthew Woolverton (1797-1878). Bill also put me in touch with Rev. S. E. Lucas, Jr. who did so much work on the early Dodsons in Virginia and elsewhere. Bill also put me in touch with Joseph B. Neville and helped me to uncover my Neville heritage. I owe a great debt to Bill Randolph. I have corresponded with him for many years and had spoken with him by telephone, but I never had the opportunity to meet him in person. Bill was not a Woolverton descendant, but so many Woolvertons intermarried with the Hankses and these other families in Tennessee and in Anderson County, Texas, that he had a wonderful handle on the Woolvertons also. Billy Ray Randolph was born 12 September 1925 at Mexia, Limestone County, Texas. He was the oldest child of Janie Viola Watson and Gilbert Benjamin Randolph and grandson of Lula Maude Hanks (1875-1923) and Wiley Andrew Jackson Watson (1867-1910). Lula was the some of James William Hanks (1851-1920). He was the son of Hampton Hansford Hanks (1807-1894) and Susan Margaret (Foster) Hanks. Hansford was the son of George DeWitt Hanks (1773-1859) and Lurane (Hill) Hanks. George Hanks was the son of Moses Hanks (1746-1831) and Aggatha (Dodson) Hanks. Bill was an avid contributor to Royal Wolverton's COUSINS UNLIMITED and to my newsletter WOLVERTONS UNLIMITED. Bill, you are sorely missed. Sincerely, Glenn Gohr ggohr01@mail.orion.org ---------- From: Wayne Stafford <wstaff@tvec.net> To: Glenn Gohr <ggohr01@mail.orion.org> Subject: Billy Ray RANDOLPH Date: Wednesday, October 14, 1998 10:30 PM Glenn, Today is a very sad day for genealogy. Bill Randolph died today in Shreveport, LA; after a battle with cancer. As you know he did "top notch" research on the HANKS, WOOLVERTON, FITZGERALD and NEVILLE lines, and many others. Bill was a gentleman, a brilliant mind, and recall of facts that was amazing. I have not had seen anyone that could measure up to Bill. Our condolences to his sister, Wanda, who has been at his side since June, when he became ill. His funeral service is scheduled for 2:00 PM, Friday in Waskom, Texas. We will let you know more about the funeral arrangements tomorrow. Bill we know you are at peace and rest. And more than likely, looking up your many relatives and friends in Heaven, and getting the rest of the story. Wayne Stafford http://www.tvec.net/~wstaff/index.htm