William Kirby Meacham (1922 - 1974)

Born 24 Mar 1922 in Monroe, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Shirley Fay (Terry) Meacham — married 8 Nov 1947 in Monroe, Arkansas, United States

Died 10 Jun 1974 at age 52 in Monroe, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

William Meacham is Notable.

Corporal William Meacham served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II
Service started: 1 Oct 1942
Unit(s): 461st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Service ended: 24 Feb 1946

William Kirby Meacham is notable for his multifaceted contributions to his community and country. From his service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, where he demonstrated bravery and commitment, to his tenure as a farmer in Cypress Ridge Township, Monroe County, and his later role as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Meacham consistently displayed a deep sense of duty, integrity, and dedication to public service. His life and legacy are testament to his unwavering commitment to serving others and making a positive impact on his community.^[1]

William Kirby Meacham was born on March 24, 1922, in Ley Press Ridge, Monroe County, Arkansas, to Presley Wiley Meacham and Virginia L. (Hazelwood) Meacham.^[2] Growing up, he spent his early years in Cypress Ridge Township, Monroe County, Arkansas, as evidenced by both the 1930^[3] and 1940 census records.^[4]

In October 1942, William enlisted in the Army Air Corps, driven by a sense of duty and patriotism. Serving as a corporal with the 461st Bombardment Group (Heavy), he dedicated himself to his military service until his honorable discharge on February 24, 1946. His commitment and valor were recognized with the World War II Victory Ribbon.^[5][6][7]

Returning to civilian life, William embarked on a new chapter, tying the knot with Shirley Fay Terry on November 8, 1947, in Monroe County, Arkansas.^[8][9] By 1950, the couple had settled in Cypress Ridge Township, Monroe County, where William pursued farming as his livelihood.^[10]

William's dedication to his community extended beyond his agricultural pursuits. In 1966, he was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives, commencing his term in 1967. He served his constituents with integrity and diligence until his untimely passing in 1974.^[1][11]

Tragically, William Kirby Meacham passed away on June 10, 1974, in Monroe County, Arkansas.^[12] He was laid to rest in Oaklawn Cemetery in Brinkley, Monroe County, Arkansas, leaving behind a legacy of service, dedication, and love for his community.^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Historical Report of the Secretary of State 2008, charles Daniel. "Historical Report of the Secretary of State." Accessed 13 Apr 2024.
2. ↑ Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Birth Certificates; Year: 1922 Ancestry Record 61774 #217181
3. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Cypress Ridge, Monroe, Arkansas; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0011; FHL microfilm: 2339818 Ancestry Record 6224 #86978506
4. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Cypress Ridge, Monroe, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00157; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 48-11 Ancestry Record 2442 #101214332
5. ↑ U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946: National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 13156; Reel: 81 Ancestry Record 8939 #7583656
6. ↑ U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010: Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Ancestry Record 2441 #459577
7. ↑ U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985: National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, MO, USA; Applications for Headstones and Markers, 7/1/1970-9/30/1985; NAID: 6016127; Record Group Number: 15; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007 Ancestry Record 2375 #3913317
8. ↑ Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Marriage Certificates; Year: 1947; Film: #8 Ancestry Record 61775 #972587
9. ↑ Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957: Ancestry.com. Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2011. "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957," database, FamilySearch; from Arkansas Courts of Common Pleas and County Clerks. Digital images of originals housed at various county courthouses in the State of Arkansas. Marriage records. Ancestry Record 2548 #1071496
10. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Cypress Ridge, Monroe, Arkansas; Roll: 1470; Page: 32; Enumeration District: 48-16 Ancestry Record 62308 #31824184
11. ↑ "State Rep. William K. Meacham", The El Dorado Times, El Dorado, Arkansas, 21 Mar 1968, Thu. - Page 26. Newspapers Clip: 145303507, Accessed 13 Apr 2024.
12. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #41435260
13. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65253030/william_kirby-meacham: accessed April 13, 2024), memorial page for William Kirby Meacham (24 Mar 1922–10 Jun 1974), Find A Grave: Memorial #65253030, citing Oaklawn Cemetery, Brinkley, Monroe County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by NLDC (contributor 47305943).