Mount Olive Cemetery, Lawrence County, Indiana

03/31/2026

1936 graduating class of Williams High School - this picture was in the June 3, 1986 Bedford Newspaper.

Back L-R: Harlan Thompson of Indianapolis, Miles Bowman of Bedford and Florida, the late Garold Kern, Jim Leforge of Detroit, Mich., Marjorie Wilking Handell of Indianapolis and the late Lowell Hardwick;
Front L-R: Cecil Gee of Williams, the late Henry Cox, Virginia Smith Cox of Williams, Helen Smith Simovic of Indianapolis, Loeva Helen Wagner Emly of Westport, Pauline Thomas Bowman and Orley Bowman of Orleans

03/31/2026

Ran across this picture of Louie and Jo (Webster) George - their 50th wedding anniversary - They lived in Williams for many years. Their daughter, Patty, married Leslie Grissom.

03/29/2026

October 29, 1936 Mitchell newspaper with Williams News

There was an article about my parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Grissom moved on Harry Hammersley’s place last week. (I think this is the house that was torn down that used to be next to where Stella Hammersley lived on Hammersley Lane near the Williams Community Building.) Sandy (Grissom) Hudson

03/23/2026

03/22/2026

1952 Williams School - 5th and 6th grade

03/22/2026

Just saw this obituary recently:

Emma Sue Brock Cagle - Sue went to Williams High School - the picture I included was taken in 1956

July 31, 1941 - July 31, 2025

Bedford - Emma Sue (Brock) Cagle, 84, of Bedford, Indiana went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Sue lived at the Brickyard Bloomington Care Center at the time of her death. Born July 31, 1941, in Williams, Indiana she was the daughter of Evert and Maggie (Craig) Brock. She married Larry Dewayne Cagle on February 19, 1960 who preceded her in death November 2, 2013. She worked at the Bedford Regional Medical Center as a nursing assistant and joined Crowders Drug Store as a pharmacy technician also in Bedford before retiring.

Survivors include a son, Larry D. Cagle and wife, Kristina of Clermont Florida, two daughters, Carla J. Pace and Husband Danny and Georgianna G. Stiles (Husband Ed deceased) from Bedford Indiana. Seven grandchildren - Joshua Pace and wife Jossi; Jessica Cagle, Trent Miller and wife Chelsea, Justin Pace and wife Kelsey, Amanda (Cagle) Gorman and husband Justin, Kyle Miller, and Traci Miller. Step-grandchildren include Toby Pace (deceased) and Daniel Pace. Ten great grandchildren - Garrett, Jonstyn, Keegan, Jase, Bennett, Maris, Levi, Bronx, Raelynn, and Adalynn. Two step great grandchildren, Braxton, Taylor. Three sisters; Jenny Charles (Husband Jack deceased) of Avoca, IN; Barbara Southern and husband Larry of Williams, IN; and Bonnie Lynch (husband Gary deceased) of Williams, IN. She was preceded in death by six brothers and five sisters; Robert, Marvin, Joy Helen Hacker, Icis Gore Anna Pearl Williams, Fred, Ruby George, Homer Dean, Willie, Roy Lee, and Sharron Rose Brock.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 5th in the Elmwood Chapel of Day & Carter Mortuary with Pastor Dave Ferry officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Church Cemetery in Silverville, IN. Visitation will be on Monday, August 4, 2025 from 3:00 until 8:00 pm and from 10:00 am until the hour of service on Tuesday at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Pallbearers are Joshua Pace, Trent Miller, Justin Pace, Kyle Miller, Danny Pace and Justin Gorman. Honorary pallbearers include Jessica Cagle, Amanda (Cagle) Gorman and Traci Miller.

Obituary courtesy of the Day & Carter Mortuary of Bedford, Indiana.

03/20/2026

Some items of interest from the 1949 Williams High School Annual

03/20/2026

Dorothy Douglas Lewis passed away last year and I just found out about it. She attended Williams. Her and her family lived in the house above Mart Smith's store - Sandy (Grissom) Hudson

Dorothy Jean Lewis, age 75 of Paoli, passed away on April 20, 2025 at her home. She was born on September 6, 1949 to William and Dovie (Wade) Douglas.
She married Gary Lewis on January 30, 1970. Dorothy was a homemaker and worked at Gary's Service Center for several years. She enjoyed crocheting and working jigsaw puzzles.
Survivors include Husband - Gary Lewis of Paoli, Daughter - Leigh Ann Frick (Brandon) of Huntingburg, Grandchildren - Parker Frick & Claire Frick of Huntingburg, Brother - Lewis Douglas (Judy) of Dubois,
She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings - James, Dora, Donna, Delores, & Doris.
The visitation for Dorothy Jean Lewis will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 11 am - 1 pm The funeral will follow at 1 pm. Bro. Harvey McAdams will officiate. The burial will be in the Ames Chapel Cemetery

03/18/2026

This question was put out there by Brent Yoder on Lawrence County, Indiana, then and now page

Does anyone know what is going on with the old Williams high school gymnasium? Thanks, Sandra Hudson.
*******************
I’m looking for some local help. I’m a Hoosier teacher working on a project documenting Indiana high school gyms past and present.

Can anyone tell me if the old Williams high school gym is still intact, or if it was turned into apartments when the rest of the building was?

Also, would anyone know who to contact about checking out the old Heltonville gym? I can’t seem to find anything online.

Thanks for your help!

03/08/2026

The Fall/Winter/Christmas Decorating Season Ends March 15th. Please remove any of these seasonal decorations and - ALL Solar Lights from gravesites “this week”. Please also let your family members know! (A list of our allowed and prohibited decorating items can be found in the Info Box outside the church building.) Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much!

02/17/2026

I could not find Bruce's senior picture. If anyone has it and would like to share it here, please do so. I have included a picture of his wife, Stacey. Sandy Grissom Hudson

Bruce Alan Sparks Obituary
Bruce Alan Sparks, 63, of Bedford, Indiana, passed away on February 12, 2026, at Indiana University Hospital Bedford. He was born on June 15, 1962, to the late Sherman and Elaine Sparks. On April 24, 2002, he married Stacey Robbins, and she survives.

He was a member of Westside Trinity Pentecostal Church and a member of Local Union 440-2, where he served as chairman for some time. Bruce attended Edgewood High School and was part of the Class of 1980. He was also a very proud member of the United States Air Force Reserves for six years.

Bruce was a true outdoorsman who found peace and joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loved sitting on his front porch, quietly watching the wildlife and taking in the beauty around him. Hunting, fishing, and camping were among his favorite pastimes, and he treasured the time spent outdoors. Bruce loved his family fiercely and completely. He was a kind and gentle soul who never hesitated to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Raised by two ministers, he carried with him a deep sense of compassion, faith, and kindness that shaped the way he lived his life. He had a talent for restoring old homes and took great pride in bringing new life to forgotten places, including the old church he and Stacey lovingly restored together. Above all else, Bruce cherished his family, and nothing brought him greater happiness than being “Grumps” to his beloved grandchildren.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife, Stacey Sparks; daughters, Heather (Robert) Emminger and Amber Harding; grandsons, Jace Sparks, Raylan Emminger, and Vincent Stridel; brothers, David (Ann) Sparks and Sherman Ray Sparks; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Lisa Bray) Robbins Jr. and Matthew (Neil Dyer) Robbins; nephews, Josh Allen, Kenneth Robbins, Isaac Robbins, and Devin Sparks; and nieces, Stephanie Ruelas, Tiphani Simpson, and Courtney Short as well as countless other friends and family.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Sherman and Elaine Sparks; brother Cecil Sparks; and niece Amber Smrz.

Memorial Services for Bruce will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes in Bedford, with Pastor Steven Carter officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olive Cemetery in Williams, Indiana. Visitation will also be held on February 20, 2026, from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM at Ferguson-Lee Chapel.

Memories may be shared, condolences sent, and flowers ordered at www.ThorneFunerals.com.

The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been entrusted with the arrangements for Bruce Sparks.

02/17/2026

WINTER DECORATIONS at MOUNT OLIVE CEMETERY - removed by March 15, 2026 - - - - thanks!

Most of the recent snow is finally gone and MARCH will be here in a few days. The temperatures this week are supposed to a little warmer so this is a good time to REMOVE ALL WINTER DECORATIONS FROM GRAVESITES!

As a reminder, winter decorations are to be removed by March 15th. This includes "ANY and ALL" solar lights, grave blankets, wreaths, tripods and any shepherd hooks that do not have a decoration attached to them. As always, any breakable item or metal item, as well as, any non-traditional decorating items are prohibited anytime. Please see the "Decorating Guidelines" listed in the "ABOUT" information on this Facebook Group Page for additional information. This information is also posted on our outside bulletin board at the cemetery. Please tell your family members about the March 15th date and invite them to join our Group Page. Thank You, Judy Wade Mitchell, Secretary.