Title of Collection
Document Type
Finding Aid
Publication Date
11-9-2018
Inclusive Dates--Span
1928-1967
Inclusive Dates--Bulk
1952-1960
Scope and Content Note
This collection includes transcripts and notes for Willeford’s sermons (1952-1960), and a small folder of materials from other authors and/or preachers.
Biographical Note
James Durward Willeford was born in Grayson County, Texas, on April 13, 1916. His father died when he was nine, and his mother died when he was twelve. Willeford went to live in the Boles Orphan Home (Quinlan, Texas) until he graduated from high school. He attended college at West Texas State Teachers College (Canyon, Texas), Freed-Hardeman College (Henderson, Tennessee), Pennsylvania State College (State College, Pennsylvania), Abilene Christian College (Abilene, Texas), and the University of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin). Willeford married Alice Marguerite Perkins on July 25, 1937. They had three children, and adopted one child. Willeford preached in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, New Mexico, Texas, and Wisconsin. While preaching in Madison, Wisconsin, Willeford began producing a daily radio program. He later teamed up with James Walter Nichols and the 5th and Highland Church of Christ (Abilene, Texas) and began producing the Herald of Truth radio program. He preached for the Herald of Truth in its early years. When he died on August 3, 1992, he was an elder at the 5th and Grape Street Church of Christ (Abilene, TX).
Donor Note
James D. Willeford (Grandson)
Arrangement
The first accession of sermons received have been arranged topically and chronologically. This reflects this arrangement in which they were received. Series III and IV were received as an accrual to the collection and were grouped by material type and then arranged numerically. The sermons appear to have been numbered by James D. Willeford. There are gaps in the numerical sermons and there are also sermonic items that are not numbered.
Content List
See PDF finding aid for folder listing.
Subjects
Churches of Christ--Texas, Churches of Christ
Language
ENGLISH
Extent of Collection
6.25 linear feet (5 boxes)
Manuscript Number
Center for Restoration Studies Manuscripts #468
Physical Location
Center for Restoration Studies
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [file or folder name], James Durward Willeford Papers, 1928-1967. Center for Restoration Studies MS #468. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.
Use Restrictions
Open to researchers. Contact Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives to make an appointment.
Processing Status
Processed
Finding Aid created by
Brady Cox, Brittney Starkey, Amanda Dietz, Mac Ice
Comments
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