The Russellville Democrat., 1884-01-24
.Dcafl, 81 WIll n. Muller.

and faqorably known by all and es-
pccialiy By the press fraternity died
at his home, in the triumphs OF a
living faith and went to meet the re-
ward of welI-spent life.
Will was born near Russellville,
on the oath day of December, 1857,
and was, therefore, in his 9th year
when he died. In his boyhood he
was bright and active and acquired
pretty fair education mostly by his
own efforts, which fitted him for a
business life From his youth up.
be was exemplary in his life and
habits. He protested religion and
Joined the Cumberland Presbyterian
church on the 10th day of December,
1876, from which time he was a chris
tian of the positive type until he
passed up higher.
On the 18th day Of February, 1881,
he was married to Miss Lille Willis,
sister to the wife of Rev. I. Nj.
Latta, the minister who received him
into the church. Three years of the
fondest welded life and devotion
we're not yet completed, ere the bonds
we're broken, and she left in widow
hood.
His life was busy one. He en-
tered the Office of the Russellville
Herald, J. II. Battenfield editor, as a
printer, in the year 1872 at the age
Of Is, and ever afterwards remained
in that calling. He entered the office
of the DEMOCRAT, stakeholder in
which he was at the time of his
death, in 1875, and in 1880 was as
ISOLATED with Mr.. B. F. lobe in its
management, having leased the pa
per from the printing company for
twelve months. AT the expiration
of the lease he severed his connec-
ton with the paper, ard, with his
young wife, went to the warmer eli
mate Of Florida to hunt health. A
short sojourn there convinced him
that no advantage accrued to his
health. and he returned to become q
permanent citizen of Russellyille to
the day Of his death. He wss elm
ployed as business manager of the
Russellville DEMOCRAT the lst OF
March, 1888, but resigned from fail
ing health three months afterwards.
He was at one time on the force of
the Little Rock Democrat and also
saw service with the Dardanelle Post.
He was charter member Of the
lodge of X. of II. of this place, with
the honors of which he was buried,
the Dardanelle band coming over at
their own option to attend his burial,
His wife will, therefore, be the
recipient of his thoughtful care in
the splendid provision Of a fund of
$4,000, the amount of his policy in
that order.
A day or two previous to his death,
he sent message to Mr.. B. f. lobe
that he was just about to cross over
the river, but all was we'll. He re-
marked to his family that he would
be sat the beautiful gate, waiting and
watching" for some others of the
family to cross over and join him in
that beautiful city. He was CON
scious to the last and died without a
struggle in the brightest hope and
fullest assurance of faith, witnessing
by his death the glorious truths of
the religion which he protested.
Religious services at his grave
were conducted by his pastor, Rev.
III. B. Miller, who made short but
appropriate address full of comfort
to those under the rod of affection.
And thus he departed. A good citi-
zen is gone, better one could not
be desired. Let us who survive him
try to emulate his virtues, and weave
into our lives the strong features of
his good example.
| How blest the righteous when he dies,
when sinks the weary soul to rest,
| How mildly beam the closing eyes,
| How gently heavcs TIL expiring breast.
Life'sduty done, as sinks the clay,
Light from Its load the spirit flies,
| While heaven and earth combined Gay,
| How blest the righteous when he dies"
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