Family History - William Raymond Laverne Tefft

1. William Raymond Laverne Tefft,¹ born 1911 in New York, the son of William Laverne ‘Willey’ Tefft and Maude Elizabeth Ward;^{1, 2, 3, 4} died 20 July 1973.^{1, 5} William married, 2 March 1928 in Sherburne, Chenango County, New York, Norma Louise Terk^{3, 8} (born 21 January 1910 in New Berlin, Chenango County, New York, the daughter of Jesse S. Terk and May A. Springer;^{3, 4, 6, 7} Norma died 28 October 1996⁷). William is buried in North Norwich Cemetery, North Norwich, Chenango County, New York.¹

+	2	i.	Charles W. Tefft, born 6 April 1929 in New Berlin, Chenango County, New York; died 3 May 2015. Married Shirley Marie Rudolph.
+	3	ii.	Betty Jean Tefft, born 18 April 1932 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York; died 29 May 2010. Married (1) Laurence Eugene Ellis Married (2) Donald John Williams.
	4	iii.	Edward Laverne Tefft, born 30 November 1939 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York;4, 9, 10, 11 died 15 January 1994.9, 11 Edward was recognized for his heroism in saving his father’s life, as told in an article in the Norwich Sun:12 Local Scout Cited for Heroism; Saved His Father’s Life. For saving his father from a fiery death and also his home from possible destruction, Edward L. Tefft of 11 Court Street, second class scout of Norwich Troop 64, has been awarded the Certificate of Merit of the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America. Young Tefft saved the life of his father, Deputy Sheriff William L. Tefft Jr., on February 21 of this year when the deputy fell asleep and a cigaret ignited his hair and clothing. The boy removed his father’s burning clothing, threw water on the blazing chair, and gave his father first aid while awaiting a doctor. Troop 64 scoutmaster Onslow Brown called Scout Tefft’s action “heroism, resourcefulness and skill commensurate with the highest ideals of scouting.” In a letter to the national boy scout court of honor, Dr. Martin H. Jacobi, who attended the injured deputy, said, “If it hadn’t been for his (Scout Tefft’s) courageous intervention, his father would have possibly died of more serious burns, suffocation or shock.” William Barone, local scout executive said it was the first time such an award has been given to a scout from this area. The certificate was presented to young Tefft on Saturday. Edward is buried in North Norwich Cemetery, North Norwich, Chenango County, New York.9

1. Find a Grave (website). North Norwich Cemetery, North Norwich, Chenango County, New York, William Tefft, born: 1911; died: 23 July 1973 [sic, this is his date of burial; he died on 20 July 1973 based on other records] (from record, which provides the names and links for his three children).
2. New York State Census, 1925, Chenango County, Norwich, E.D. 01, William L. Tefft, 39; Maude E. Tefft, 37; Raymond Tefft, 26; Francis Tefft, 3.
3. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Chenango County, Norwich City, E.D. 9-23, Sheet No. 2A, William L. Tefft, 19, New York, first married age 17, steam shovel, Chenango Co.; wife Norma L. Tefft, 20, New York, first married age 18, winding, knitting mill; son Charles H. Tefft, 11/12, New York.
4. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Chenango County, Norwich, E.D. 9-19, Sheet No. 6A, William Tefft, Jr., 29, New York, shovel runner, City of Norwich; wife Norma Tefft, 30, New York; son Charles W. Tefft, 11, New York; daughter Betty Jean Tefft, 7, New York; son Edward L. Tefft, 4/12, New York.
5. Deaths, Twin Valley Publications, Greene, New York, 1 August 1973, death of Raymond Tefft of Norwich on 20 July 1973. The article mentions that he was the son of Maude Tefft, who died a year ago March, and he was the nephew of Rev. and Mrs. M.R. Weaver. Mrs. Weaver was Maude Tefft’s sister.
6. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Security Applications, Norma Louise Tefft, born: 21 January 1910 in New Berlin, New York; father: Jesse S. Terk; mother: Mae Springer.
7. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Death Files, Norma L. Tefft, born: 21 January 1910; died: 28 October 1996; residence zipcode: 89119 [corresponding to Las Vegas, Nevada].
8. New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848, 1908-1936, available at familysearch.org, Marriage License and Certificate, Raymond La Verne Tefft, 23, born in Springville, N.Y.; father: William Tefft; mother: Maude Ward; Norma Louise Terk, 21, born in New Berlin, N.Y.; father: Jesse Terk; mother: May Springer; married on 2 March 1928 in Sherburne, Chenango County, N.Y. [Both of their ages are undoubtedly incorrect; he was 17 and she was 18 when they married, based on their birth dates from other records.]
9. Find a Grave (website). North Norwich Cemetery, North Norwich, Chenango County, New York, Edward Tefft, born: 1935 [sic, he was born in 1939; his gravestone has the correct date]; died: 1994 (from record, which provides the names and links for his father, siblings, and son).
10. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Security Applications, Edward Laverne Tefft, born: 30 November 1939 in Norwich, Chen[ango County], New York; father: William L. Tefft; mother: Norma L. Terk.
11. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Death Files, E. L. Tefft, born: 30 November 1939; died: 15 January 1994.
12. Norwich Sun, Norwich, New York (available at newspaperarchive.com), 17 August 1953, Local Scout Cited for Heroism; Saved His Father’s Life.

2. Charles W. Tefft² (William¹), born 6 April 1929 in New Berlin, Chenango County, New York;^{1, 2, 3, 4} died 3 May 2015.^{1, 4} Charles married Shirley Marie Rudolph (born 28 June 1931 in Oneida Castle, Oneida County, New York, the daughter of Willard S. Rudolph and Dorothy Grace Van Pelt;⁵ Shirley died 31 August 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada⁵). Charles and Shirley are buried in Oneida Castle Cemetery, Oneida Castle, Oneida County, New York.^{1, 5}

3. Betty Jean Tefft² (William¹), born 18 April 1932 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York;^{3, 6, 7} died 29 May 2010.^{6, 7} Betty married, first, 11 September 1954 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York, Laurence Eugene Ellis¹¹ (born 5 April 1929 in Pitcher, Chenango County, New York, the son of Charles L. Ellis and Addessia G. Carpenter;^{8, 9, 10} Laurence died 10 July 2005^{8, 10}). Betty married, second, 25 April 1964, Donald John Williams¹² (born 29 June 1935, parents not determined¹²). Betty is buried in North Norwich Cemetery, North Norwich, Chenango County, New York.⁶ Laurence is buried in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.⁸

+

5

i.

Donna Williams (born Ellis), born 27 January 1957. Married Bruce Edward Buck.

+	6	i.	John Donald Williams, born 10 November 1964. Married Sandra J. Lawrence.
+	7	ii.	Diane Elaine Williams, born 13 December 1965. Married Christopher R. Bruce.

1. Find a Grave (website). Oneida Castle Cemetery, Oneida Castle, Oneida County, New York, Charles W. Tefft, born: 1929; died: 2015 (from record, which includes the text from his obituary giving vital and biographical details; and provides the names and links for his father, siblings, spouse, and child).
2. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Chenango County, Norwich City, E.D. 9-23, Sheet No. 2A, William L. Tefft, 19, New York, first married age 17, steam shovel, Chenango Co.; wife Norma L. Tefft, 20, New York, first married age 18, winding, knitting mill; son Charles H. Tefft, 11/12, New York.
3. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Chenango County, Norwich, E.D. 9-19, Sheet No. 6A, William Tefft, Jr., 29, New York, shovel runner, City of Norwich; wife Norma Tefft, 30, New York; son Charles W. Tefft, 11, New York; daughter Betty Jean Tefft, 7, New York; son Edward L. Tefft, 4/12, New York.
4. Obituary, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas, Nevada (available at obits.reviewjournal.com). 6 May 2015, Charles W. Tefft, died: 6 May 2015. The article provides vital and biographical details.
5. Find a Grave (website). Oneida Castle Cemetery, Oneida Castle, Oneida County, New York, Shirley Marie Rudolph Tefft, born: 28 June 1931 in Oneida Castle, Oneida County, New York; died: 31 August 2012 in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada (from record, which includes the text from two obituaries, and provides the names and links for her parents, spouse, and one child).
6. Find a Grave (website). North Norwich Cemetery, North Norwich, Chenango County, New York, Betty Jean Tefft Williams, born: 18 April 1932 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York; died: 29 May 2010 (from record, which includes selected text from her obituary; and provides the names and links for her father and siblings).
7. Obituary, The Evening Sun, Norwich, New York (website: evesun.com/obituary). Betty T. Williams, died: 29 May 2010; born: 18 April 1932 in Norwich, NY, named Betty Jean Tefft. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her parents, two brothers, three children, and long-time friend.
8. Find a Grave (website). Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, Laurence E. Ellis, born: 5 April 1929; died: 10 July 2005 (from record).
9. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Security Applications, Laurence Eugene Ellis, born: 5 April 1929 in Pitcher, Chen[ango County], New York; father: Charles L. Ellis; mother; Addessia G. Carpenter.
10. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Death Files, Laurence E. Ellis, born: 5 April 1929; died: 10 July 2005; residence zip code: 75002 [corresponding to Lucas, Texas].
11. Marriage Announcement, The Chenango Union, Chenango County, New York (available at fultonhistory.com), 21 September 1954, Betty Jean Tefft and Laurence Ellis, married on 11 September 1954 in Norwich, New York. The article gives biographical and wedding details and the names of their parents and other family members.
12. Genealogy.com, User Trees, James-H-Camp, Descendants of Alice Carpenter, Generation No. 13, Person No. 62, Donald John Williams, born 29 June 1935. The entries include the names and vital dates for his two wives, two children (Nos. 97 and 98) by his first wife Betty Tefft [misspelled as Teft], their spouses and children.

5. Donna Williams (born Ellis)³ (Betty,² William¹), born 27 January 1957.¹ Donna married, 31 March 1975, Bruce Edward Buck¹ (born 10 December 1954, parents not determined;¹ Bruce died 26 October 2019¹).

6. John Donald Williams³ (Betty,² William¹), born 10 November 1964.² John married, 26 August 1995, Sandra J. Lawrence² (born ca. 1960, parents not determined¹).

8

i.

Michaela Jean Williams, born 7 September 1998.2

7. Diane Elaine Williams³ (Betty,² William¹), born 13 December 1965.² Diane married, 24 March 1995 in Nevada, Christopher R. Bruce² (born 22 November 1964, parents not determined¹).

	9	i.	Kathryn Elizabeth Bruce, born 25 May 1992.2
	10	ii.	Christopher Bruce, born 23 May 1996.2

1. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
2. Genealogy.com, User Trees, James-H-Camp, Descendants of Alice Carpenter, Generation No. 13, Person No. 62, Donald John Williams, born 29 June 1935. The entries include the names and vital dates for his two wives, two children (Nos. 97 and 98) by his first wife Betty Tefft [misspelled as Teft], their spouses and children.