W P Perkins Dies After Being Struck by Pickup

Willie P. Perkins, 57, was fatally injured Saturday night, August 13, about 8:30pm when he was walking near the intersection of the Bastrop Eighth highways, and was accidentally struck by a pickup truck driven by a colored man. Mr. Perkins was rushed to the local hospital and died in about 30 minutes.

Funeral services were held August 17, at three o’clock p.m. at the Marrs Chapel in Smithville. Rev. William O. McLeod of of Smithville had charge of the services. Interment was in the Alum Creek Cemetery.

Pall bearers were Major Perkins, David Constantine, A. V. Clardy, D. W. Clardy, Ennis Clar[d]y, and P. J. Parker.

Mr. Perkins is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Willie Ethel Courts and Mrs. Iva June Courts of Beaumont. Surviving brothers are Ira Lee Perkins of Petersburgh, Ernest Williams, Austin and Aaron Eal Perkins of Bastrop, and one sister Mrs. Georgia Stewart, of Austin.

He was born December 17, 1895.

— From Bastrop Advertiser, Aug 20, 1953

Note about Clardys

Joe and Blanche Clardy passed away early in the life of their 6 young children. Arnold Vinson Clardy’s obituary says

“Blanche and Joe both passed away while the children were at a young age. The Perkins family from Bastrop took all 6 children in and raised them.”

And the Clardy boys are listed as grandsons in Aaron P. Perkins obituary. 1940 Census lists some of the Clardy kids with Aaron Eal Perkins and family.