William Samuel McTier (1901 - 1959)

Born 5 May 1901 in McDuffie, Georgia, United States

Died 19 Aug 1959 at age 58 in Milledgeville, Baldwin, Georgia, United States

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Biography

William McTier is Notable.

Known for his particular style of playing the twelve-string guitar, Blind Willie McTell was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981 ^[1] and into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1990.^[2][3]

William Samuel McTier was born to Minnie and Eddie McTier in 1898 in McDuffie, Georgia. His father, who was said to be a gambler and a drifter, was not in his life during his childhood.^[4] His mother, Minnie Dorsey, was related to Thomas A. Dorsey, a music composer and gospel pioneer.^[3] His family moved to Statesboro when Willie was nine, and his mother got a job cooking for the household of Mrs. H.W. Ellis.^[5] Willie's mother died in the 1920's.^[3]

Willie was born blind in one eye and lost the vision in his other eye in childhood. At age 17 he entered the state academy for the blind in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.^[5] Although he was blind, McTell had a pistol he carried and he knew how to use it. It has been suggested that several family members were musical and played the guitar. Michael Gray states in his book "Willie must have been talented, because while still a teenager he briefly ran away and joined a traveling circus as a musical performer."^[4]

Willie McTell recorded under a number of pseudonyms:^[5]

• Blind Willie McTell (for Victor and Decca Records)
• Blind Sammie (for Columbia Records)
• Georgia Bill (for Okeh Records)
• Hot Shot Willie (for Victor Records)
• Blind Willie (for Vocalion and Bluebird Records)
• Barrelhouse Sammie (for Atlantic Records)
• Pig & Whistle Red (for Regal Records)

Willie married Ruth Kate Williams in 1934. His wife accompanied him on stage before becoming a nurse.^[3] They were married until about 1941.^[4]

1910 - William S. McTier, age 6, was listed on the census with his mother in Jefferson County, Georgia.^[6]

McTell died of diabetes and alcoholism.^[3] Willie was buried at Jones Grove Church, near Thomson, Georgia, his birthplace.^[7] Author David Fulmer, who in 1992 was working on a documentary about McTell, paid to have a gravestone erected on his resting place. The name given on his gravestone is Willie Samuel McTier.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues_Hall_of_Fame
2. ↑ https://gamusichall.com/inductee-list/
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_Willie_McTell
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} https://georgelamplugh.com/2017/03/01/on-the-trail-of-blind-willie-mctell-blues-stories-24/
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Jacobs, Hal. "“Blind Willie” McTell." New Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified Jun 1, 2020. https://www.statesboroherald.com/life/statesboros-wandering-minstrel-blind-willie-mctell/
6. ↑ United States Census, 1910: "United States Census, 1910"
   Image path: United States Census, 1910 > Georgia > Jefferson > Militia District 1460 > ED 35 > image 6 of 38; citing NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RJR-13V (accessed 12 September 2022)
   • 1910 census Jefferson County Georgia.
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6700344/willie-mctell: accessed 12 September 2022), memorial page for Willie “Blind Willie” McTell (5 May 1901–19 Aug 1959), Find a Grave Memorial ID 6700344, citing Jones Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Thomson, McDuffie County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave .

• 1910 Census: "1910 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1910; Census Place: Militia District 1460, Jefferson, Georgia; Roll: T624_194; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0035; FHL microfilm: 1374207
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7884 #147239514
  William S Mctier (6), single son, in household of Minnie Mctier (20) in Militia District 1460, Jefferson, Georgia, USA. Born in Georgia.