W.L. Allen

W.L. "Dub" Allen died at Coronado Nursing Center, Friday, June 13, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. after a one year illness. He was born in Denton Valley, TX December 16, 1919, the second child of Benjamin N. and Kate McIntosh Allen. He was preceded in death by Ben, 1949; Kate, 1988, brother A.M. (Pat) 2001, sisters, Callie Kathleen Carlisle, 2006, and Bennie Irene Baumgart 1987. In December 1919 the family was living in a tent. Kate fell and began labor before the due date in February, so an uncle moved them into a house for his birth. Kate was ill for 7 years, and Dub stayed home from school on Mondays, to cut wood, heat water, and wash clothes on a rub board. Completing laundry, he ran to school, jumping fences, which enabled him as a hurdler and baseball team member. After dropping out of Denton Valley school for a year to help farm, Dub graduated high school in Oplin, 1938. He picked cotton, milked cows, cut wood, learned to sew at home and sewed on patches and insignia for other soldiers. With brother Pat he fiddled for dances. Dub learned good manners and obedience from Kate's thimble and Ben's rod, and retained those good manners throughout life. Dub married Ruth "Evlyn" Barnard, December 5, 1942 in First Baptist Church El Paso, TX and 7 days later, deployed with US Army, 16th EVAC Hospital 1942-45, as a vet assistant. They sailed from Newport News, VA through Panama Canal to New Guinea, Australia, Philippines, Calcutta, Bombay, Burma, and many Pacific Islands on freight ships, returning home to California, USA. A Japanese submarine fired on the returning ship after VJ day. With no defenses left, the captain defended the ship by turning between torpedoes. While visiting the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, he remarked while looking at the memorial wall, "I'm thankful my name is not on a wall somewhere." At age 12 Dub was baptized in a creek. After moving to Abilene, Dub and Evlyn joined Grace Methodist Church where he held every position for 61 years, from janitor to chairman of board, music director, Sunday school teacher, and youth director, sang and played mandolin and guitar in the praise band, but was never the preacher. His favorite scriptures were Ps. 8, Ps. 91, and Philippians 4. Barbering began at age 14. Dub barbered in the army, obtaining a license in Amarillo in 1946, and moving to Abilene to being his 54 year career. He was employed with Shorty Richardson on Walnut, at Drake Hotel as its last owner, the Mims Building and Windsor Hotel shops, also until their closing, the Abilene Commercial Barber Shop (in two locations). He retired April 3, 1998 with long-time customers vying to receive the last hair cut prior to a party, complete with Barber Shop Quartet entertainment. Volunteering as a barber at Abilene nursing centers and hospices, he gave more than 35,000 free haircuts over a period of 30 plus years. He enjoyed going to work each day to cut hair for children and loyal customers, but knew when it was time to stop. On his day off, Dub volunteered for 3 years as girls' softball coach at Lamar Elementary for Joyce's team, and took grill, food, and charcoal to Lubbock to grill hamburgers in a city park during a sand storm for Joyce and college friends. Dub cut hair for the championship football team at AHS in the 1950's. He played baseball in exhibition games with Joe D'Maggio, gave hair cuts to Fess Parker, Dan Blocker, V.P. Harry Truman aboard ship, Bobby Morrow and other college athletes. He sent telegrams by Western Union in the Drake Hotel building, to friends as jokes. In the past year his memory and speech were impaired yet still he retained his sense of humor, love of music, people and outdoors, good manners, desire to pray and hear scriptures. Awards and memberships include Pride of Abilene 1994; with Evlyn District Methodist Lay Person of Year, Abilene District; given mandolin as surprise by church members; tree planted in his honor at church; past member Toastmaster's; lifetime member of local VFW post; and played with a group of musicians for nursing homes once a week. Survivors are wife of 66 years, Evlyn; daughter, Joyce Marie Allen McGlaun, husband Monte, Abilene, TX; granddaughters: Christel Beth Snelson, husband James, Hutto, TX, Rebekah Ruth Wilsford, husband Michael, Surprise, AZ, Joy Anna Varrone, husband Michael—Washington, DC, Kathleen Esther McGlaun, Austin, TX; great-grandchildren: Jonah Wade Wilsford, Mary Elizabeth and Ruby Claire Snelson, and Gracie Florine Wilsford, due in July; aunt, Madie Allen Phillips, Abilene; six nephews (preceded in death by 2); five Nieces; many cousins, great nephews and nieces; honorary grandchild: Abigail Parrish, Abilene, and esteemed friend, Hartzell Jackson. Graveside services will be at 10:00 am on Monday, June 16, 2008 in the Garden of Prayer in Elmwood Memorial Park, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am at Grace United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 3:30 to 5:30 pm on Sunday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Memorials may be made in honor of Dub Allen to the Grace United Methodist Church,1402 Grape Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; First United Methodist Church MAC fund, 202 Butternut, Abilene, Texas 79602; or to Meals on Wheels, 717 North 10th Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.