Grayson County TXGenWeb

W.L. Robbins
7 October 1888 - 14 December 1931

W. Looney Robbins Dies at Grenville

W. L. Robbins, formerly of Whitewright, died at his home in Greenville Monday morning at 4:45 o'clock. Mr. Robins resided in Whitewright for a number of years, during which time he was employed by local business institutions. His last work here was with L. LaRoe & Company. He moved from Whitewright to Leonard, where he was manager of the L. LaRoe & Company lumber yard for several years before moving to Greenville. Mr. Robbins had many friends in Whitewright. While here he took an active part in church work and civic affairs.
The following account of Mr. Robins' death was taken from the Greenville Banner.
W. L. Robins, 43, prominent and widely known Greenville business man, manager of the Clem Lumber Company since 1926, died Monday morning at 4:45 o'clock at his home, 104 Fuller Street. Mr. Robbins had been in ill health for two years, but had been in regular attendance to duties at his office, until he became seriously ill a week ago. His death was a severe shock to members of the family and hundreds of friends.
Last rites were observed Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. Services were held at the First Baptist Church, with the pastor, the Rev. A. W. Reaves, in charge. The Rev. J. F. Jurrell of Denison, former pastor of the First Baptist Church here, delivered the funeral message. Burial was made at the Vittitoe Cemetery near Whitewright.
Active pallbearers were Joe D. Williams, Mack Livingston, O. A. Evans, O. G. McCullough, J. F. Daniel and J. A. Norton. Honorary pallbearers were deacons of the First Baptist Church and members of the Victory Bible Class.

BORN IN TENNESSEE

William Looney Robbins was born October 7, 1999, at Doyle, Tennessee, where he was reared to young manhood. He received his education in the schools there and graduated from Doyle College. For a number of years he was a resident of Leonard and Whitewright where he was married on Sept. 8, 1909, to Miss Parrie Darwin. On September, 1926, the family moved to Greenville; Mr. Robbins taking charge of the Clem Lumber Company as manager. Although in ill health for the past two years, Mr. Robbins was at his office regularly and took great pride in taking care of the business of his company. He was valued as a very efficient and loyal employee and was held in the highest of esteem by executives of the company.
At the age of twelve, Mr. Robbins professed faith in the Master and united with the Baptist Church. He was ever faithful to the teachings of the Great Architect and found a joy in any service which he performed for the advancement of Christianity. He served as superintendent of the Sunday school at Leonard, Whitewright and also in his church here. He had been a member of the Board of Deacons of the First Baptist Church in this city continuously since he moved to this city. Before his health failed, keeping him from being as active in church work as he had been, he served as chairman of the Board of Deacons.

WAS CHURCH WORKER

Mr. Robbins was one of the pillars of the First Baptist Church and his wise counsel and advice in matters pertaining to the growth and progress of his church, was very valuable. Not at any time during his life did Mr. Robbins refuse to serve the Master and his work in behalf of Christianity has placed many jewels in the crown of life which he wore so noble. He had a broad outlook on life and a keen knowledge of human nature. He was soft spoken, kind and gentle to everyone with whom he came in contact and there are hundreds of friends throughout this section of the state who will join the bereaved family in mourning his passing.
Mr. Robbins was the eldest son in a family of several children and his devotion to his mother, his brothers and sisters and his love and tender care of them, together with his wife and children, was one of the many beautiful points in his life. He lavished his affections on his family and they in turn were devoted to him. He served as both father and brother to his brothers and sisters after the death of his father, and was a source of great comfort to the family. Death has plunged these homes into great sorrow and the family chain has again been broken, leaving a wound that only the passage of the years will heal.
Loyal to his city, Mr. Robins was ever ready to serve on important civic committees which sought to accomplish beneficial results for Greenville's growth and progress. He put his shoulder to the wheel and pushed when asked to cooperate in any worthwhile movement, and his aid has been of untold value to the best interests of Greenville.
Mr. Robbins was familiarly known to hundreds in Greenville and this section as "Sawdust", a name used by many of his closest friends. Those who knew him hold a place for him in their hearts that only a man of his many fine traits and lovable nature could command. He was possessed of a splendid personality. He was generous and charitable, strictly honest in all of his business dealings and at all times endeavored to be fair and square.
He valued friendship as one of the brightly shining jewels of life and would go out of his way to help a friend. Always did he have a kind word for a friend or stranger, and there are those in all walks of life who enjoyed his companionship and his friendship. He found time even with all his business, church and civic, endeavors to be a home man, and it was a happy family circle that now has a broken chain. Mr. Robbins was truly a wonderful man and all of Greenville and this section will miss him and mourn his death.
Surviving are his widow, four daughters and two sons; Louise Robbins, Geraldyne Robbins, Margaret Robbins, Joan Robbins, Leon Robbins and Darwin Robbins of this city; his mother, Mrs. E. G. Robbins; two sisters, Ruth and Mrs. T. J. Rector, all of Leonard, a sister, Alice, and a brother, C. O. Robbins, of Littlefield; a brother, Paul Robbins of Whitewright, and a sister, Mrs. Louis Debenham of Denison. Numerous other relatives also survive.