Notes for William Pitts: William was a farmer and enjoyed Fox hunting. He could not read or write. William was also fond of telling Ghost stories or "Haints" as he called them. The following story was written down as an English assignment by Charles Edward Pitts Sr. (Williams Grandson) in 1943 while he attended Olive Branch High School as a freshman. His teacher was Mrs. Collins. Charles was 14 years old. Titled: "The ghost and the graveyard" There are many stories in my family, mostly on my Grandfather Bill's side. One of the best ones was when Grandfather and Uncle Jim (James Thomas Elkins) were coming home from a dance one summer night. It was about midnight so the moon was high. On the way home they had to go by a graveyard. Grandfather and Uncle Jim were on horseback. As they rode along by the graveyard rail fence, suddenly something jumped on top of it. They pulled their horses to a stop and looked. It was the white form of a woman. They decided to run past her as fast as they could for they knew it was a ghost. When they were even with her she jumped from the fence to Grandpa's horse. Uncle Jim didn't see her anymore but Granddad could sure feel her for she was scratching and hitting him. He yelled out "Get her off, Get her off ! Oh ! She's killing me! " Then she jumped to Uncle Jim's horse and began beating and scratching him. They came to a creek and she jumped off and disappeared. From that time on, not Grandpa nor Uncle Jim traveled that road after dark. I dont know if it was real or just imagination but it seemed pretty true when they told it. William was also a prankster. Once while on a fox hunt with his cousin Bill Spurlock,(William Spurlock, son of Monroe Spurlock and Filia Ann Merriman) he led Bill to a creek because Bill had been complaining of thurst. Bill then complained about the foul taste of the water. At that time William "apologized" for "accidently" leading him to a Shit Creek. Sometimes before going on a Fox Hunt with his cousin, Bill Spurlock, William would feed very salted pork to Bill's hunting dogs so the dogs didnt want to hunt for Bill because they were so distracted by thurst. Another story that has been passed down is that of a mysterious fireball. Supposedly, William and two of his sons, Cecil and Clarence, spent quite a while one day chasing what they described as a little fireball about the size of a grapefruit that flew in zig zagging paths just a few inches above the ground. Finally, one of the boys was able to get the ball covered by his hat. Then slowly lifting his hat he found nothing but air. These stories were passed down from Williams son, Wiley Pitts (Who was also very fond of Jokes and tall tales). One of William Pitts' good friends was a man named Levi Hileman. Mr. Hileman was commonly called Lee. He gave William's son Wiley his first shot gun when Wiley was a young boy. He also left money to all of Williams sons when he passed away. On the 1910, Union Co. IL. Census Record, Levi Hileman is found in the Anna precinct, Enumeration District 124, sheet 5a, household 75. At that time he is living between William Pitts and William's brother John.
Lee Hileman age 68, married for 46 years, wife, Fannie age 66. According to this census record, Levi Hileman was born in IL. Both of his parents were both born in North Carolina. His wife was born in North Carolina as well as her parents.
Probate Journal: July 1919 term. Jonesboro. Union Co. IL. In the matter of the estate of Levi Hileman-Deceased. Petition for letters of guardianship. And now on this 12 day of July A.D. 1919. Comes Cecil Pitts, Clarence Pitts and Wiley Pitts, and presents to the court their petition and ask that William Pitts be appointed guardian for the said Cecil Pitts, Clarence Pitts and Wiley Pitts, they each being above the age of 14 years, and also for Lynn Pitts and George Pitts. And represents that Cecil Pitts is a minor aged 20 years on the 27th day of March, A.D. 1919, and that Clarence Pitts is a minor aged 18 years on the 11th day of April, A.D. 1919, and that Wiley Pitts aged 14 years on the 19th day of June A.D. 1919, and that Lynn Pitts is a minor aged 8 years on the 4th day of March, A.D. 1919 and that George Pitts is a minor age 5 years on the 4th day of June, A.D. 1919, and that said minors have no legal guardian residing in this state. And it appearing to the court that the allegations set forth in said petition are true and that said William Pitts is a proper person to have the management of the said estate of minors. It is therefore ordered that the said William Pitts be and is hereby appointed Guardian of the said Cecil Pitts, Clarence Pitts, Wiley Pitts, Lynn Pitts and George Pitts and is required to file Bond in the penal sum of One Thousand Dollars with sureties to be appointed by this court. And again on this 15th day of July, A.D. 1919 comes William Pitts and presents to the court his Bond as Guardian of the minor heirs aforesaid mentioned in the sum of One Thousand Dollars, with Della Pitts and JohnW. Hess as his suety theron which said Bond is by the court examined and approved and Letters of Guardianship ordered to issue to the said William Pitts as such Guardian.
Obituary: Anna Illinois - William Pitts, age 91, of Anna, died Tuesday morning (June 29, 1965). He was a member of the United Pentecostal Church. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Eva Dillow of Anna; five sons, Cecil, Clarence, and Lynn, all of Anna, Wiley of Mounds and Georg of Wolf Lake; three brothers, (James) B. Pitts of Woodbury Tennessee and Oakley and Lester, both of Anna; 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M., in the Crain - Norris Funeral Home with the Rev. Oscar Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Casper Cemetery. Friends may call at the Funeral Home at any time.
More About William Pitts: Burial: Casper cemetery / Anna Il.. Occupation: Farmer.
More About William Pitts and Della Thomas: Marriage: September 13, 1893, Cannon Co. Tennesee. Marriage license: August 02, 1893, Marriage date found in the Cannon Co. TN. Marriage Book by Helen L. Rogers..
Children of William Pitts and Della Thomas are:
+Wiley Pitts, b. June 19, 1905, Union Co. Il., d. September 30, 1986, Mo..
+Clarence Pitts, b. April 11, 1901, Union Co. Il., d. November 10, 1990, Union Co. Il..
+Cecil Pitts, b. March 27, 1899, Cannon Co. Tennessee (Woodbury), d. June 27, 1983, Union Co. Il..
+Eva Pitts, b. April 09, 1897, Cannon Co. Tennesee (Woodbury), d. February 02, 1976, Union Co. Il. (Anna).
+George Pitts, b. June 04, 1914, Union Co. Il., d. September 08, 1995, Union Co. Il..
+Lynn Pitts, b. March 04, 1911, Union Co. Il., d. September 17, 1973, Union Co. Il..
William Pitts (b. December 06, 1873, d. June 29, 1965)
Notes for William Pitts: