The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-12-26
Deaths
WILLIAM NoeLE LIsrER

with helpful activity and interes.
in many fields, came soon after
noon, Thursday. TO William Noble
Lister, long an active factor in
lpsilanti life. He had been in
good health and his youthfulness Of
spirit and his friendships had been
a subject Of frequent remarks. He
kept a vivid interest in world and
local events. His las. illness OF
nearly a month was the recur-
renee OF heart trouble, but he
was cheerful and did not suffer
pain throughout
Mr.. Lister was born Dec. 81. 1858.
in losco Township, Livingston Coub-
~, the son OF Watson and Frances
Alice Noble Lister. His father. a
Civil War veteran, was drowned
when the boy was two years old,
and later his mother married Rob
ert J, Gardner In 1882, Mr. Lister
came TO Npsilanti to attend the
high school and made his home
with Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W.
Cleveland. Mrs Cleveland being a
sister Of his stepfather. He WAS
a devoted son to them until their
deaths. In Ypsilanti High School
he was prominent in school life. be-
ing president OF the. Phoenix De-
batting Club. He was graduated in
the class OF 1887. Mr. Lister taught
one term in the Unadilla district
school. then entered the Michigan
State Normal School. where he con-
tinued his interest in oratory. be-
ing the first winner OF the Normal
News oratorical contest. The
Judges included member OF the
Presidents cabinet and a United
States senator Fifty years later.
Mr.. Lister was made an honorary
member OF the national forensic
fraternity. Pi Kappa Delta. in
memorable ceremony at the Nor.
NAL College.
After a term as principal OF the
Ontonagon schools Mr., Lister was
for five years superintendent of
the Saline schools and later was
in the drug business there. From
1898 to 1903 he was county commits
sioner OF schools and many of the
reforms he made were widely
copied. His outline for the grading
OF rural schools was adopted hy
the state superintendent OF public
instruction for all rural schools Of
Michigan. He increased the num-
be" OF rural school libraries from
six TO los. and in turning the an
nual teachers institute over TO
the Normal College summer SEES
sion set up a precedent that was
also state wide.
He returned to Ypsilanti and for
two years was president OF the
Npsilanti Reed Furniture Co., and
from 1904 10 1912 he served as post
master Of ipsilanti by appoint
ment OF Congressman Charles y.
Townsend, here. too expanding and
improving the service. For three
years he was a member OF the city
board OF education and later was
city treasurer. He also owned and
operated a large farm In Superior
Township. For three years he was
member OF the Washtenaw Board
OF Road Commissioner a pioneer
in such activity.
He united with the First Presby-
terrain Church OF Ypsilanti in 1887
and served as teacher and superir-
tendent of the Sunday School and
in the church Session. Three
years ago he Joined his daughter
in transferring to the First Metho-
dist Church.
He took deep interest in Masonry
and was a past master OF Saline
Lodge No. 1873. and life member OF
Phoenix Lodge, No. 10, and OF Elk
celsior chapter No. %, Royal Arch
Masons. He was one OF the found
ers of Ypsilanti Commandery
Knights Templar. He also belong
ed to the knights OF Pythias and
the Macabees.
Mr.. Lister married. April 10. 1905.
Miss Sarah Elizabeth Hutton. De.
troit. who died six years ago. He
is survived by daughter, Frances
Marjorie Lister, a teacher in Ypsi.
lanti High School, son. William
Hutton Lister, lieutenant in the
Quartermaster's Division who Is
now somewhere on the high seas
enroute to foreign service: and a
brother, Lynn e. Gardner. Stock
bridge. former speaker OF the state
house OF representatives.
The funeral will be at 2:3O Mon
day in the Moore Funeral Home
and will be conducted by Rev.
Walter B. Heyler with interment
in Highland Cemetery. Friends
NAV call AZ the funeral hnrnn