William Silsbee Alexander sucumbed to a lengthy illness last Sunday afternoon at 2:05 PM. Mr Alexander had been suffering from throat cancer for many months before his death at sixty three.
Mr Alexander had been a resident of Bay Minette, Alabama for the past forty six years. He moved to Dolive, Alabama with his parents in 1899. For the past twenty eight years, Mr Alexander had been superintendent of the Newport Industries Plant located in Bay Minette, Alabama which is one of many owned by a company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began his career with the Newport Industries in 1913 as a pipe fitter and then worked his way to the top office which he held until his death.
Since his Father, William Martin Alexander, was a classmate of Abraham Lincoln, he knew something of politics. He was elected to serve one term as Bay Minette's mayor and one term as councilor. He was elected to the post of Councilman in 1920 for a two year term. He came back in a winning race for mayor in 1924, for a two year term as the top official of the thriving city of Bay Minette.
During his term of office in the two capacities, Alexander affected many changes and improvements in his town, according to historians.
William Alexander was born in Jemison, Alabama on October 2, 1882 and was educated there in the public schools. At the age of fifteen he began his climb to the top , where he was before his death.
Mr Alexander began at sixteen working in various capacities in sawmills over the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, where he gained experience which was helpful in his final position at the Newport Industries.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Bay Minette, a Member of Woodsman of the World, Cecil Lodge No. 169 of the Knights of Pythias and other civic Organizations of this city during his life time here.
William Alexander married the love of his life on April 25, 1903 in Dolive, Alabama, Sarah Elizabeth Godley.(Lizzie)
They had ten children: Walter, Garner, James, William, Caroline, Vivian, Lois , Opal, Ruby and William Stonewall Alexander.
His legacy will live on in the lives of his descendants