1913
Willis
2006
Willis J. Seward
March 10, 1913 — December 11, 2006
HARLINGEN, TX:
Willis J. Seward was born March 10, 1913, in Carstairs, Alberta, Canada and entered into eternal rest on Monday, December 11, 2006 at age 93. He moved to the Rio Grande Valley at the age of 10. He lived at Wilson Tract and later moved to La Feria where he lived and farmed until his recent move, in 2003, to Harlingen, Texas.
He worked in the grocery business, hardware store, farmed, had a dairy, and was a top salesman for Texas Refinery Corporation before retiring.
Willis was often referred to as “Tomato King” and known for his beautiful vegetable crops, and high grade cotton.
At the age of 55, Willis joined Texas Refinery Corporation (TRC) as a salesman for the Rio Grande Valley. At 65 when most people retire Willis’ success at TRC was recognized with a front page feature article and picture in the Wall Street Journal for outstanding sales.
Willis is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Gertrude Spears Seward and their seven children, Sarita Hudson, Jeanne Seward, Stanley Seward, Molly Scott, Susan (Phillip) Holland, Dollye Lee and Willis Daniel (Danny) Seward; grandchildren Rita Hudson Spears, Iris Hudson Moore, Lori Hudson Smith, Tracey Scott McGuire, Shawn Scott Thompson, Becky Lee Wisdom, and Stacey Lee; nineteen great grandchildren; one brother, W.H. Seward; three sisters, Margaret Goodwin, Rita May Boozer and Joy Spaeth; and extended family including, Donna Steuver, nieces, nephews and other relatives and family friends.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents, Weldon Joseph and Anna Hays Seward; grandson, Kenneth Randall Hudson; son-in-law, Calvin Scott; sisters, Hazel Hugghins, Dollye Moon, Bessie Till, Myrtle Lauer; and brother Alvin Seward.
The family extends their special thanks to Dr. John Partin for his special medical attention and care; Nora Zavala for her longtime dedication, care, and compassion; Sylvia Vallejo for her acts of kindness; Mary Lou; Hospice and all those that aided in his time of need.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 15, 2006 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass will be Saturday, December 16, 2006, 9 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 500 S. Canal (on the corner of Canal and Jessamine) in La Feria, TX where Willis & Gertrude Seward were married and all their children were baptized. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria.
Honored to be pallbearers will be Willis Daniel (Danny) Seward, Stanley Seward, Phillip Holland, Casey McGuire, Robbie Thompson and Leon Lee.
Willis touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
For those desiring to do so, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Willis J. Seward was born March 10, 1913, in Carstairs, Alberta, Canada and entered into eternal rest on Monday, December 11, 2006 at age 93. He moved to the Rio Grande Valley at the age of 10. He lived at Wilson Tract and later moved to La Feria where he lived and farmed until his recent move, in 2003, to Harlingen, Texas.
He worked in the grocery business, hardware store, farmed, had a dairy, and was a top salesman for Texas Refinery Corporation before retiring.
Willis was often referred to as “Tomato King” and known for his beautiful vegetable crops, and high grade cotton.
At the age of 55, Willis joined Texas Refinery Corporation (TRC) as a salesman for the Rio Grande Valley. At 65 when most people retire Willis’ success at TRC was recognized with a front page feature article and picture in the Wall Street Journal for outstanding sales.
Willis is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Gertrude Spears Seward and their seven children, Sarita Hudson, Jeanne Seward, Stanley Seward, Molly Scott, Susan (Phillip) Holland, Dollye Lee and Willis Daniel (Danny) Seward; grandchildren Rita Hudson Spears, Iris Hudson Moore, Lori Hudson Smith, Tracey Scott McGuire, Shawn Scott Thompson, Becky Lee Wisdom, and Stacey Lee; nineteen great grandchildren; one brother, W.H. Seward; three sisters, Margaret Goodwin, Rita May Boozer and Joy Spaeth; and extended family including, Donna Steuver, nieces, nephews and other relatives and family friends.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents, Weldon Joseph and Anna Hays Seward; grandson, Kenneth Randall Hudson; son-in-law, Calvin Scott; sisters, Hazel Hugghins, Dollye Moon, Bessie Till, Myrtle Lauer; and brother Alvin Seward.
The family extends their special thanks to Dr. John Partin for his special medical attention and care; Nora Zavala for her longtime dedication, care, and compassion; Sylvia Vallejo for her acts of kindness; Mary Lou; Hospice and all those that aided in his time of need.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 15, 2006 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass will be Saturday, December 16, 2006, 9 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 500 S. Canal (on the corner of Canal and Jessamine) in La Feria, TX where Willis & Gertrude Seward were married and all their children were baptized. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria.
Honored to be pallbearers will be Willis Daniel (Danny) Seward, Stanley Seward, Phillip Holland, Casey McGuire, Robbie Thompson and Leon Lee.
Willis touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
For those desiring to do so, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willis J. Seward, please visit our flower store.