Obituary
William McKendree Randle
Aged, Kind, Good Father dies.

William McKendree Randle, son of Isham Asbury Randle and Francis Card Randle, was born October 2, 1843 at Kinderhook, Illinois, and departed this life at the home of his daughter, Mr. And Mrs. E. H. Dennison, at Downing, Mo., Feb. 28, 1936, at the age of 92 years, 4 months and 26 days.

October 7, 1869, he was married to Julia Harrison of Luray, Mo. To this union three children were born. The wife and one daughter preceded him in death. Those left to mourn their loss, one son, Clyde of Luray, Mo., and one daughter, Mrs. Lutie Dennison of Downing, Mo., five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, one brother Sydney Wesley Randle, of Sacramento, California.

He enlisted as a musician in Captain Wm. Berrymann's Company E., 118th Regiment of Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and enrolled on the 4th day of August, 1862. Served three years and four months in the service of his country, and was honorably discharged Oct. 2, 1865, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Deceased was a descendant of a long line of ministers of the M. E. church, his father, grandfather, great grandfather and two brothers being M. E. ministers. He was converted in the M. P church at Luray 48 years ago, under the preaching of Rev. Matt Sexsmith and united with the M. E. church which he supported with his Sunday school for 42 years, he was a devout Christian unto the end.

His home was always the home for the ministers. He will not only be missed by his pastor, but his church has lost a valuable member, always regular when it was physically possible for him to be at his service. His voice is hushed, his presence unseen, but his influence will live on in the community, and will be missed by all who knew him. He was a loyal and devoted father, a kind and loving husband, a noble citizen loved by all.

Funeral services were held at the Luray M. E. church, March l st at 2:30, conducted by Rev. D. W. Ridly of Loreda, Mo., and assisted by Rev. S. B. Look, of Wyaconda.

Pallbearers were relatives, Leland Selway, Billy Randle, Junior Dennison, Forest Rowe, Grover Shupback and Rural Randle.

The singers were Raymond Gregory, Mrs. Hope Mosier, Adelia Hamerton, Rev. G. M. Baker, with Miss Bessie Kapfer at the piano.

Interment was in the Combs cemetery.


Note: Julia E. Harrison, who married William Randle, in 1869, following his return from the Civil War, was the daughter of Jabez Harrison, and his wife Susan M. Harrison. Jabez Harrison was killed at the Civil War battle of Athens, in Clark County, Missouri, on August 5, 1861, leaving his wife a widow for the rest of her life, 47 years.

Note: The new Methodist church was built in the year 1917. The new church flourished, and William Randle was a Sunday school teacher for years, and he lead the choir until within a year or two of his death.

His granddaughter, Ruby Randle Selway, continued in his path, and was the church pianist for many years.

A personal note:
My father had told me stories about the old Civil War veterans marching out to Combs Cemetery from Luray, on Memorial Day, to place flags on the veterans' graves. He said as the years went by, and the few remaining ones became feeble, he would volunteer to take them to the cemetery in his car. (mjsm)