Obituary

William C. Congleton
(February 13, 1935 - July 4, 2012)

The Life of William Congleton as told to Gloria Spiller Congleton On February 13th, 1935, William Claude Wade entered into this world in Winchester KY. At the age of six, William's world, as he knew it, was about to change. After receiving all the attention from his great Aunt Mae and Uncle Charley, who felt he was the love of their life and deserved whatever he wanted, his mother Ella Frances Congleton and stepfather Nelson Congleton, moved their family to Huntington WV. After enrolling in Barnett Elementary Grade School, William formed a friendship lasting over seventy years, a friendship of love and understanding and never a disagreement been the two, with Charles Page (Mr. Mom Page) who called William, Brother William. It has been a beautiful relationship lasting from grade school to the present. Whenever Charles (Mr. Mom Page) was in town, he would always spend time with 'Brother William'. Along with Norris Nash (Eggy), Lewis Greene (Muffin), and any of the other fellows who were in town, the conversation turned to politics, football, old classmates, and always a lot of laughter. After grade school, William entered Douglas HighSchool. William was an outstanding basketball player OR the championship- team playing along with Hal Greer ,Monroe Harris, Charles Page, Valmore Hill, and Walter Davis. William also played football: "Congleton Paces Douglass to win over Gary 13 to 0". The Douglass Wildcats also placed two men on the All- Western Regional Football Team: Lucious Barnes at tackle and Bill Congleton in the backfield. William along with Mr. George Hill, Mr. Buddy Jackson, Rev. Reginald Hill (only 15 at the time), spent many cold mornings rabbit hunting spinning a lot of tall tales and enjoying good times together. As a grown man, Reverend Reginald Hill, gives credit to William for the influence William had on his life and recalls how much he learned on those hunting trips. Lewis -Green and Mose Dickerson also credit William for the positive influence he had on their lives and the men they became. In the evenings and weekends, William enjoyed playing cards listening to- Doo- Wop such as "Earth Angel" , "King Pleasures", " Moody's Mood ", "For Love", along with his friends Charles Page, Norris Nash, Monroe Harris, and Wallace Hayden. After graduation, William decided to enter into- the real world. He left home and headed for Columbus, Ohio. Being a young person on his own, he discovered that sometimes the money didn't stretch far enough. William decided to go into the Army. On October 09, 1953, he completed training for the 11th Airborne Division named "The Angels" in Fort Campbell, Kentucky as a Paratrooper. He was member of the “SOS” Airborne RCT which later became 101st Airborne. He participated in "Operation Firm-Link" in Japan. William was very proud of being a member of the 101st Airborne. William proudly wore his cap with the screaming eagle emblem, and displaying the same on the back window of his truck. After being discharged from the Army, he decided he'd met the person he wanted to marry: Norma Peterson. This union became the proud parents of five children: Linda Darlene, Donna, Maria, William C. Jr. (a son of whom he was so proud. He would often say he might not be everything I would like him to be, but he is my son), and then there is Robin (the baby and she is called that by her family).William truly loved his children and he tried to be a good father. William and Norma and their children became members of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. On Sunday mornings, William, Norma and the five children were in attendance. He would often say they were given a good Catholic education having attended and graduated from Our Lady of Fatima School. After many years of not knowing his birth father and roving a man who had been the only father he knew, William asked his step-father, Nelson Congleton, if he would adopt him. With a big smile, Mr. Congleton agreed and was humbled and very happy to legally give William his name, Congleton. William retired in 1990 after completing 30 years of service as an Equal Employment Opportunity Complaints Manager for the United States Postal Service. While raising his family and working two jobs, William became involved in civic activities. He was chairperson of the Action Education Committee, Chairperson of the Huntington Human Rights Commission for 9 years, member of the NAACP from 1963-1970 as vice president and served as president from 1970-74. William is listed in the "Who's Who among Black America" in 1974-1976. William was appointed to be a member of the governing body of the Region II Planning and Development Council in 1974. William was chairperson for the Hal Greer Boulevard Dedication Committee. William was part of the sports recruitment team for Marshall after the plane crash, and a guest speaker at the University. William was so proud of his boyhood friend, Hal Greer. He started the crusade to have 16th Street be named after Hal, because of its location near Marshall and he felt that Hal had put Marshall on the map. He contacted then Governor Rockefeller, Harold Frankle and the City Council of Huntington. And as we know, his dream came to pass. Recently William and Hal revisited their friendship sharing big hugs and a few tears. He would often say they were given a good Catholic education having attended and graduated from Our Lady of Fatima School. After many years of not knowing his birth father and roving a man who had been the only father he knew, William asked his step-father, Nelson Congleton, if he would adopt him. With a big smile, Mr. Congleton agreed and was humbled and very happy to legally give William his name, Congleton. William retired in 1990 after completing 30 years of service as an Equal Employment Opportunity Complaints Manager for the United States Postal Service. While raising his family and working two jobs, William became involved in civic activities. He was chairperson of the Action Education Committee, Chairperson of the Huntington Human Rights Commission for 9 years, member of the NAACP from 1963-1970 as vice president and served as president from 1970-74. William is listed in the "Who's Who among Black America" in 1974-1976. William was appointed to be a member of the governing body of the Region II Planning and Development Council in 1974. William was chairperson for the Hal Greer Boulevard Dedication Committee. William was part of the sports recruitment team for Marshall after the plane crash, and a guest speaker at the University. William was so proud of his boyhood friend, Hal Greer. He started the crusade to have 16th Street be named after Hal, because of its location near Marshall and he felt that Hal had put Marshall on the map. He contacted then Governor Rockefeller, Harold Frankle and the City Council of Huntington. And as we know, his dream came to pass. Recently William and Hal revisited their friendship sharing big hugs and a few tears. William bled green. For many years, he and Thomas Kincaid had season tickets and never missed a Marshall home game. Having a great interest in football the Cleveland Browns was the one team that first allowed Negro players on their team. William being the person that he was felt, here is a team who’s willing to take a chance and be fair to all people. So from that time on win or lose he remained a true Cleveland Browns Fan to this day. William's health caused him to finally give up attending, but he never missed watching a game on TV or listening on the radio. William had a dream. It was to build a round house. It took him 10 years, but he never gave up on his dream. It was a beautiful home in the woods on top of a hill and he enjoyed it for 17 years. William had many friends both male and female because of his charming ways. Gloria and William became good friends. This friendship grew and William asked Gloria to marry him. This marriage took place after receiving approval from Father Livinus and the Bishop. They were blessed to have many years together enjoying each other's company. And William was blessed to have Gloria to care for him as his health declined. William was the oldest of six children. The children of Nelson and Ella Francis Rash Congleton were William, Gwendolyn Congleton Jackson, Barbara Congleton Sheffield, Jacquelyn Congleton Cleckly, Paul Congleton, and Donald Congleton. William's death will be the closing of a chapter of the Congleton family of 1906 10th Avenue, who shared so much love for each other, their church, and their community. William, we shared wonderful times in our life together: 'You have been a wonderful husband. 'You always had time for me. I along with your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and step-children, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren, will greatly miss you. William, thank you for all the love and happiness you have given me. - All my Love, Gloria