Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The son of William and Minnie (Bell) BILLING. He was a foreman for the Highway Department. After earning an associate's degree from Case Western Reserve he was employed by Murray Way Corp as VP Sales and Service Engineering. He and Mary are buried in Higgins Cemetery, Roscommon, MI. (Robert S. Strong, SFAA Historian).

Leonard married Mary Louise Griffith on 24 Apr 1936 in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. Mary (daughter of William Phillip Griffith and Mabel Laverne Strong) was born on 21 Dec 1913 in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio; died on 9 Jun 1997 in Gaylord, Otsego County, Michigan; was buried in Higgins Cemetery, Roscommon County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

This biography of Mary Louise Griffith is courtesy of her son, William Billing:

"Mom was born at 140 S. Whitney Ave, Youngstown, Ohio on 12/21/1913. She went to Washington Elementary School: started When 6 because she was so tiny. She skipped a half grade when she began to grow. Graduated from Chaney High School in 1931. Worked as a receptionist/bookkeeper in a dentist's office for $5/week for one year. She then worked at Kresge's 5 & 10 store as a clerk until she got married in 1936.Mom met dad while walking up Mahoning Ave. He was in a convertible with Bob Brown, a friend. She and a friend went for a ride with the boys. They dated 20 months and got married April 24, 1936.They lived in a apartment in Greenville, PA, in Dad's cousin's house. The rent was $15/month. Dad was a foreman on the highway earning $75/month. They lived there 11 months and then moved to Youngstown where Dad got a job at United Engineering as a machinist. Lived at 139 Halls Heights with Grandma and Grandpa. They sold the house to Mom and Dad for $3000 and bought the house on LaBelle, across town."

Notes:

Married:
They were married in the First Baptist Church in downtown Youngstown, F.B. McAllister, minister.

Alberta Rudersdorf, Gordon Rudersdorf, and L. Klaesius were witnesses. It was a small wedding. She wore an aqua dress with brown accessories. She weighed 101 pounds. Reception was at the house afterwards. Music was provided by a lady who whistled beautifully. Mom had sewn Uncle Red's pajamas up when he got married the year before, so he hid her girdle on her wedding day. Leonard and Mary Louise Honeymooned in Cleveland for two days.

Notes:

The son of David GRIFFITH and Sarah HOTCHKISS. He was a fireman and retired in 1942 from the Youngstown Fire Department.

1. Griffith, William Phillip Rank: FF/SH Approx Time on Department: 1910's-1940's Date of Birth: 1887 Start Date: 4/1/1913 Appt. Ending Date: 10/16/1942 Retired Promotions: FF 4/1/1914. SH 11/8/1917 Date of Death: 1957 Burial Location: Burial Location: Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown, OH. Cause of Death: Known Addresses: 139 Halls Heights. Liberty, OH. 140 Whitney, 121 LaBelle. Additional Information: FF@No.1 Chem 1910's. Shop 1930's. Married to Mabel L. (1885-1976). Family story: "Grandpa was new on the department and was very nervous about doing the right things. He tried to learn as quickly as he could, followed directions, and took his job and training very seriously. He was assigned to be a truck driver at his station. So he practiced and practiced all of the drills associated with his new position, the pole, the suiting up, speed and accuracy, the whole nine yards. Finally came the opportunity to respond to his first fire as the new engine driver. The alarm went off, and he sprang into action doing everything flawlessly. As he arrived at the fire in record time, he learned that he had only made one mistake. He had left all of the other firefighters back at the station. Shortly after he arrived came the rest of the crew hanging out of the chief's car. Grandpa reportedly received the chewing out that he deserved." Appointed as a cadet firefighter. Born in America. Hose Co.9 @ No.1 1910's.

http://www.youngstownfire.com/genealogy/yffdb.php

Another amusing story about William Griffith was supplied by William Billing of Michigan. It was found an old newspaper, likely taken from the Youngstown Vindicator. The date is unknown. The article is titled, "Premature". " William Griffith, city fireman of Hall Heights Ave., says he refuses to take a hint. In fact, he wants to keep on living for a while yet, even if a local mortician does have his number. One evening last week a florist's truck stopped in front of his place, the driver stepped to the porch and hung a crape on the door! "Goodness sakes!" exclaimed a neighbor. "What on earth has happened to Bill? I didn't know he was even sick." "An accident?" someone remarked. So the neighbors stepped over to extend their sympathy to the bereaved family. "What has happened?" they asked at the door. "Nothing," was the response. "Why the funeral decorations, then?" It wasn't pleasant to find the crape hangers had been busy, but it was all due to a mistake in address.

William married Mabel Laverne Strong on 2 Aug 1910 in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. Mabel (daughter of Frederick Adelbert Strong and Alberta M. Osborne) was born on 30 Jan 1889 in Bristol Township, Trumbull County, Ohio; died on 27 Sep 1976 in Alliance, Stark County, Ohio; was buried in Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]