William Ralph Pressley (1902 - 1986)

Born 23 Jul 1902 in Liberty, Pickens, South Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Ruby Pauline DeRamus — married 20 Dec 1925 in Prattville, Autauga, Alabama, United States

Died 9 Feb 1986 at age 83 in Orange, Florida, United States

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Biography

William Pressley served in the United States Army in World War I
Service started: 23 Mar 1920
Unit(s):
Service ended: 9 Mar 1924

William Ralph Pressley was born 23 Jul 1902 to Nannie Elizabeth Grogan and and Harry Mendenhall Pressley in Liberty, Pickens, South Carolina, USA.

The Siblings:

• Ella Mae Pressley
• William Ralph Pressley
• Luther C Pressley
• Wene F Pressley

In 1910, they were in Pickens, Pickens, SC, USA. William was the young age of 8. Harry was 28, Nannie 26, Ella 9, Luther 4, Wene 3. Nannie had birthed five children but only four were alive. The couple had been married 11 years. Harry was a house carpenter but he had been out of work 11 weeks. This time was hard on families. Ella and William were in school but only the parents were listed as able to read and write. The family was listed as renting a home.^[1]

In 1935, they were living in Lake Wales, FL, USA.^[2]

Family Life

William Ralph Pressley married Ruby Pauline DeRamus inPrattville, Autauga, Alabama, USA on 20 Dec 1925. Solemized by J. F. Posey, Judge of Probate^[3].

The little ones:

• William Ralph Pressley 1927-1996
• Gloria R
• james Byron Pressley 1930-1991

In the 1930 census 2 months later, they were living on Bartow Road paying $20 rent. William Ralph, Jr was 3 years old, Dad 28, Mom 27, Uncle Derrill DeRamus 18, Aunt Fay 18 (divorced), and her 7 month old daughter Gloria R were in the house. The Pressley had been married for 4 years. Aunt Fay B Owens wasn't married long. She was just 18, the baby was 7 months, and she married at 17. Dad was a lineman for the electric company and Uncle Derrill was a laborer for the electric line.^[4]

In 1940, Byron was 10, Ralph 38, Pauline 37, and Ralph 13. They lived on Minneola St, Clermont, Lake, Florida. The rent on their home was $20. Ralph father had completed 8 years of school, Pauline had completed high school, Ralph the younger had finished 7th grade and Byron finished 4th. The previous week Dad had worked 48 hours as a lineman for the public utilities. He had worked 52 weeks in 1939 making $1,800 and earned some extra money in other work.^[5]

Military

Ralph registered for the draft on 14 Feb 1942 at local board 3 Orange, Florida, by Ruby Haygood in Winter Garden. He was listed as white, 5' 9" and 160 lbs. Brown eyes, brown hair, and ruddy complexed. He only listed his and Pauline's address as Apopka, Orange, Florida, nothing more. Mailing addres as the same. The telephone was Apopka 7630. He was 39 and born on July 23 1902 in Liberty S.C. He was employed by Florida Public Service, Apopka, Orange, Florida. He signed his full name.^[6]

Death and Burial

Ralph died on 9 March 1986 in Apopka, Orange, Florida, USA. They resided at 248 Fayette Ave, Apopka.

Graveside services were held on 11 March 1986 at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Memory Gardens, Forest City, Florida. Dr. Allen Higginbotham, First Baptist Church of Apopka presided.^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ 1910 US Fed Census d 147 Pickens Pickens South Carolina 19 Apr
2. ↑ 1940 US Fed Census
3. ↑ Alabama US Select marriage indexes 1816-1942 ref p454 fhl film number 12l89193
4. ↑ 1930 US Fed Census D 53-56 Highland Park Polk FL 11 April
5. ↑ 1940 US Fed Census 35-34 Clermont, Lake, FL 1 June
6. ↑ US Sorld War II Draft Cards Young Men 1940-1947
7. ↑ prayer card in possession of the family online Ancestry