Gillian, Walter and Vivian

Lea County Families and History, Then and Now, Vol II

Gillian, Walter and Vivian

By: Vivian Snelson Gillian

On a sunny winter day, January 26, 1936, Walter and Vivian and a six-month old Josephine, in a Mode “A” Ford pulling a camp trailer drove down a dusty Broadway looking for the Post Office in boomtown Hobbs. They were from the frozen north Texas near Pampa, just a-looking for a home and work, bringing all their possessions with them. They were Oklahomans, farm-reared of pioneer heritage unacquainted with anyone here. They drove to the Continental Camp before they realized that town was behind them. They had no premonition that February 11^th, he would be employed there until retirement 33 years later, May, 1969.

Walter Thomas Gillian born September 26, 1908 near Peno, married Vivian Snelson, born September 22, 1915 near Ardmore at Capitol Hill Church of Christ. Josephine was born near Amber, July 28, 1935. On her first birthday we transferred to Oil Center Conoco Camp; buying a cake and candle to celebrate. Through the years we lived in company houses on leases, located on the Record, Snyder, and Hill ranches. A way of life almost gone from memory. In the early days Antelope grazed nearby and once a buffalo chased Walter behind a barrel. He saw the last San Simon cattle drive.

Jerry Walter was born at Eunice, 4 April 1938. Merry Lynne was borne at home, near Oil Center, December 14, 194. We still live in that house, (now twice moved). Our Lea County roots were growing deeper…we no longer called Oklahoma home. They all graduated from Eunice High School. Jo and Jerry graduated from Eastern New Mexico University, (even Mama finished New Mexico Junior College). We are charter members of Oil Center Baptist Church and long time members of First Eunice Baptist, from which all children were married.

August 13, 1955, Jo married Roy Springer of Dora. Their son, Richard Allen was born in Hobbs, July 19, 1957, was married to Dona Louise Rice of Hobbs at Cimarron West, December5, 1981.

August 28, 1959, Jerry married Ora Lee McCann, Eunice; Michael Wayne born at Portales, April 23, 1960 was married to Lanell Hogan December 19, 1981 in Odessa. John Thomas was born in Odessa March11, 1963.

Merry married Dairl Conger of Howe, January 20, 1961. Darrel Lynn was born in Dallas November 16, 1962. Mark Lee was born November 30, 1968 in Irving.

Until Jerry’s death, February 19. 1981. he was employed by Mobil Oil at Crane. He is survived by his sons Mike and John, and his wife Barbara, to whom he was married December 8, 1975. This marriage brought two precious granddaughters, Shannon, 14, and Kimberly, 13, (legally Gillians). He is buried at Sunset Memorial Garden in Odessa.

Three generations of the family have lived here. Jo teaches elementary school here. Her husband and son work at Cable TV in Hobbs. Merry works at Fotomat. Dairl is a water well driller in Texas. Darrel and John are in college.