A Section PINION Page 4 O Wednesday, xxx xx, 2013 www.bonifaynow.com Love of community keeps columnist busy Should the writer tried on the life and experiences brought a commitment opportunity came to hard to select an of several that I write stories on the feature a second World activity to keep businesses and well- known performer in War II veteran and highly him busy after individuals. that category as they have decorated hero, John retiring as county Included in these, passed away. I know that Julius Fussell. I vividly judge in 1992, it is was Frances Hays, I am not recalling all the recall sitting with him doubtful that he a Chipley Barber, articles written in every in the spacious and would have ever who is following category. comfortable sales shelter chosen writing a in the footsteps of Those I readily on the Fussell Farm newspaper column. PERRY’S his father, Oscar recall were Hank Locklin, where he calmly and Between 1992 PRATTLE Hayes, and his Don Helms (of the famed methodically outlined his and 2003, he Perry Wells uncle, Lem Hayes. Hank Williams Band), Miss U. S. Army experiences was kept busy longtime career Kitty Wells, and later her paralleling the travels with the duties of the barbers. For years, Harvey husband, Johnny Wright, of Archie Harris. Fussell watermelon festival, Hayes followed the barber Folk Music Legend, Doc received combat injuries which was experiencing a profession, along with his Watson and Wilma Lee at Anzio Beach and again growth spurt and with the brother, before pursuing Cooper of Wilma Lee and at Po River in Italy. He constitution and care of other employment. Stoney Cooper fame. On was highly decorated with Chipley Chapel Primitive Many of my “features” Sept. 7, it was my sad numerous awards, Combat Baptist Congregation in were written on topics duty to report the deaths Citations and ribbons for which he was a founding which have interesting of two music stars who his honored service. member. connotation. One such story performed concerts at the John Julius Fussell passed In April 2003, the former was on the patent medicine, May 22, 1982 Railroad away June 3 at the age of owners of the Washington Hadacol, which many Centennial Celebration. 93 while surrounded by County News suggested well remember. Another They were Dr. Bill Foster his loving family. Funeral a weekly column, using topic was the telephone of the Foster String Band services were conducted as a topic “the many directory in Breaux from Florence, Alabama at Piney Grove Free Will careers of Perry Wells.” It Bridge, Louisiana, where and Oscar Sullivan, of the Baptist Church on June seemed like an interesting nicknames were used in the Lonzo and Oscar Band out 5 with throngs attending idea. Looking back, I think names. of Nashville. the funeral conducted by my real feelings were that Among the highlights Among the veteran Rev. Alan English and the AP such an endeavor would of my special writing was tributes, it has been pastor, Rev. Tim Owen. Staff Sgt. John Julius Fussell, pictured in a collage of last only a few weeks! reporting on the funeral my privilege to write a Imagine the writer’s the many Ribbons, Clusters, Medals, plus his “Dog Along the way, and of Martha Jean Cooper special feature article on surprise and excitement Tag.” Frances and Julius had a perfect attendance with the newspaper’s Chasse, who was interred my uncle, James Archie when Rev. Owen record at all the 1944 Vernon High School Reunions, blessings, featured in Washington County’s Harris. Bethel Primitive immediately stated he with the last one being held on April 20, 2013. articles, in addition to most historic cemeteries, Baptist Church honored would be basing many the regular “Perry’s on Sept. 8, 2008, the him with a special tribute of his remarks on Judge chosen to use Washington my path of writing for Prattle,” were added to my fi rst burial there since on October 11, 2003 in a Wells’ article in the County as the setting for the past ten years is writings. It was my honor James Willis Taylor was ceremony formulated by newspaper in 2007 entitled his book, he would have surely the Providential and privilege to write entombed Jan. 6, 1957. Mr. Merrill T. (Tom) Beasley, “John Julius Fussell looked no further than Hand of God directing articles on several leading Clark Rogers told me that, LTC, Inf, FARNG, Retired, qualifi es as one of ‘The the life of John Julius my efforts. I have been Washington County as a school bus driver for the late Pat Davis and Greatest Generation.’” He Fussell, as one of the many more than compensated citizens after their death. the county, he delivered your writer. Col. Beasley proceeded to quote much featured heros named in for my endeavors in ways These include Tillman a bus load of friends, narrated the major battle of contents of this book by his beautiful World War II other than in a pay check. Pippin, Hubert Cope, relatives and neighbors campaigns of Harris, Tom Brokaw, published in stories.” Rev. English also 86 year old, Cecil Pippin, Rex T. Yates, former toMr. Taylor’s funeral including North Africa 1999. referred to the deceased added to that pay day Washington County Judge, to the serene cemetery, and Anzio Beach. He also Your writer was again as numbering among when he told me at Julius’ Willis Carl Trawick, Rev. located in what old timers outlined a host of Awards, humbled in Rev. Owen The Greatest Generation, funeral his blessing in Adolph Phares and the still refer to as Moody’s including The Purple making special reference commenting, ”sadly it is reading my article on his founders of R & M Electric Pasture. Heart at Anzio, along with to my story, where I a generation that is fast friend, J. C. Griffi n, who Shop, Nolan McDaniel and My interest in old the Silver Star and Bronze wrote: ”Had Tom Brokaw, becoming extinct.” passed away earlier this J. T. Rustin. country, gospel, bluegrass Star honors. the international known Please allow me to year. Some of the topics were and traditional music, On Aug. 4, 2007, the journalist and newscaster, continue to think that See you all next week.

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Letters to the editor and comments on Web versions of news stories are welcomed. Holmes County Historical Society Letters are edited only for grammar, spelling, clarity, space and consistency, but we ask that they be limited to 300 words where possible. Letter writers are asked to provide a home address and daytime recognizes two special ladies telephone number (neither is printed) for verifi cation purposes. Two ladies who contributed Bethlehem and Ponce de Leon. Galloway in preserving the history of Letters may be sent to 1364 N. Railroad Ave., greatly to the publication of the She began teaching at Bethlehem our county. Chipley, FL 32428 or emailed to news@chipleypaper. Heritage of Holmes County book two years after my husband went Citizens are urged to get involved com. Please specify if the which was published in 2006 have there as agriculture teacher and they with the organization which is letter should be printed in the recently passed away. worked together until he moved to working tirelessly to collect the Washington County News or This past week Mrs. Hazel Pierce Holmes County High School in 1964. history of our county. Holmes County Times-Advertiser. Helms Maringer died after a Helen moved to her alma They have secured and maintain Questions? Call 638-0212. long battle with Alzheimer’s mater, Ponce de Leon in 1976 a building for housing these artifacts. disease. where she remained until The president is Sue Brown and Even though the retirement in 1981. Buford Williams is secretary. The beginning stages of the Through the years as we next meeting is July 11 at 4 p.m. HOLMES COUNTY malady had already begun its have attended BHS school work, Mrs. Maringer was the and class reunions with Bill catalyst for the publication of and Helen, the love that her imes HAPPY CORNER Holmes County’s only family former students have for her T Hazel Wells Tison history. attests to the kind of teacher Advertiser When she learned that she was. Heritage Publishing Company’s She received the Distinguished owner, David Bice, was attempting Service Award from the Florida Nicole P. Barefi eld, Publisher to get a committee together for the Future Homemakers of America Randal Seyler, Editor purpose of collecting and assembling during her career. She and her Cameron Everett, Production Supervisor family stories which would be students brought numerous honors The Times-Advertiser is published on Wednesdays by Halifax published in a volume available to to Bethlehem High School. Media Group, 112 E. Virginia Ave., Bonifay, FL 32425. the public, Mrs. Maringer called the I get inquires about the Periodicals postage paid at Bonifay, Florida. publisher, arranged for a meeting availability of the Heritage History © Copyright 2013, Halifax Media Group. with the Holmes County Historical of Holmes County. During June, the All Rights Reserved. Society and the process began. Publisher, Heritage Publishing has COPYRIGHT NOTICE: The entire contents of the Holmes Many current and former county books for sale for a limited time for a County Times-Advertiser are fully protected by copyright and residents contributed to the work by price of $45 plus shipping. WASHINGTON cannot be reproduced in any form for any purpose without the submitting their family stories, but At the present time there are expressed permission of Halifax Media Group. the book would never have been a none available in the county, but the COUNTY NEWS/ reality, had not Mrs. Hazel Maringer Holmes County Historical Society arranged that fi rst meeting. is in the process of securing copies HOLMES COUNTY POSTMASTER: SUBSCRIPTION RATES Hazel Maringer was also and placing them in locations for the IN COUNTY ADVERTISER Send address change to: responsible for securing the Florida public to buy. 13 weeks: $12.61; 26 weeks: style home which was moved from They will then return to the pre- FIND US ON Holmes County $18.90; 52 weeks: $30.45 Times-Advertiser the New Hope community to Bonifay publication price of something like OUT OF COUNTY to serve as the Historical Society’s $65. P.O. Box 67, Bonifay, FL 32425 13 weeks: $16.17; 26 weeks: museum. The Holmes County Historical @WCN_HCT USPS 004-341 $24.20; 52 weeks: $40.95 In addition to Mrs. Maringer who Society is also planning a tag sale/ FOLLOW US Home delivery subscribers may be charged a higher rate for holiday editions. served as chairman of the Heritage yard sale with a silent auction on book committee, others who served Saturday July 13 from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. ON TWITTER on the committee were were Pat at the Historical Society Building at CONTACTUS WANTMORE? Andrews, James and Mildred 412 W. Kansas Ave. PUBLISHER Williams, Nancy Thomas, and six If you have items to donate, Nicole Barefi eld: nbarefi [email protected] Find us online at retired educators, John Brownell, contact LaVonne Tardif, the chipleypaper.com, Dot Galloway, Helen Galloway, treasurer, at 547-7328. On that date, NEWS, SPORTS OR OPINION [email protected] friend us on Facebook, or Nadine Hall, Shirlene Lashley, and the museum will be open for visitors. tweet us @WCN_HCT. Hazel Tison. Also on the fi rst Saturday of each CLASSIFIED & CIRCULATION Helen Commander Galloway also month from July through October, Cathrine Lamb: [email protected] passed away recently. Her work in the museum will be open from 9 till 1-800-345-8688 researching and writing the report on 12 A.M. The views expressed the schools for the Heritage History With deep appreciation, the here are not necessarily ADVERTISING of Holmes County was invaluable. Historical Society recognizes the Stephanie Smith: [email protected] those of this paper or Mrs. Galloway was a beloved importance of the contributions of 850-638-0212 Halifax Media Group. home economics teacher at Mrs. Hazel Maringer and Mrs. Helen