Summers

Includes Beeba, Bray, Graber, McDonald, Summers

November 1985 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – Sister Charlene Beeba, Bill Summers, Sister Kelli McDonald. We were missionaries for the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. So we our title was Sister. Bill came to see me (Kelli) as part of his journey to see every state in America before he died. Wonderful surprise and time that I have cherished ever since.

George William Summers

He was born as George William Summers as the title indicates but known as Bill, at least that is how I came to know him. He came into the world on a Sunday, July 17, 1921 in Carlton, Kansas to JE Summers and Agnes Graper Summers. My research does not yet indicate much about his father other than he died young leaving Bill to leave school early to work. However, his penmanship was impeccable which is clearly evident on the military records when he signed his name.

When he signed up on July 19, 1944 at age 23, he weighed 152 pounds and was 5 feet 6 inches. His family was living in Leavenworth, Kansas.

According to the 1925 census his family consisted of Parley, age 36, Louis, age 16, Marvin, age 14, Linnie, age 12, Leonard, age 9, Morgie age 7, and George, age 3.

He married Elizabet Marie Bray on December 31, 1964. She was born May 25, 1925 and died July 8, 1982. It is rumored that she was also married to Morris Nichols.

I was familiar with Bill when his son married my cousin, Patty and then became friends with Patty’s mom, Nancy. Nancy and my dad had always been close. So it was only natural that she would introduce Bill to my dad. Bill became a friend of our family as well. I am a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. In 1985 I chose to serve a mission for my church and was sent to South Carolina for 18 months. This was a volunteer service. Bill wanted to see every state in America before he died.

While I was serving in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina I received a call saying that a Bill Summers from California was there to visit. This was highly unusual since we were not allowed to have visitors from home. I am from California. So my companion, as they are known rushed back to our apartment to see what was going on. Pleasantly surprised was my dear friend. We were staying at a motel run by a member of our church called the Outrigger. Sam Branham put Bill up for the night as a favor to me. We went out for dinner and breakfast to Po’ Folks, a very Southern restaurant. He took his first steps into the Atlantic Ocean. I captured this on film! This was, indeed, one of the highlights of my mission, par none!