William Richard Spann - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 7/19/2012 USGenWeb NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. ************************************************************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. ************************************************************************************************ William Richard Spann - Madison Parish, Louisiana From Tallulah Madison Journal April 7, 1928 ACUTE INDIGESTION FATAL TO W. R. SPANN, BUSINESS LEADER W. R. Spann, 53 years old, pioneer in the casinghead gasoline industry in Shreveport and prominent businessman, died suddenly at his home, 934 Unadilla St., South Highlands at 7 o'clock Wednesday morning. Death was due to an attack of acute indigestion. Mr. Spann's death was a severe shock to his family and was unexpected. He became ill Tuesday night but his condition was not regarded as serious. A short time before his death he was apparently in good condition, when suddenly his condition grew worse and he expired. Pending the arrival of his son, W. R. Spann, Jr., who is a student at Virginia Military Academy, funeral arrangements will not be made. Mr. Spann was very prominent in local business circles, and was for several years connected with E. R. Ratcliff in various natural gas industries. However, Mr. Spann, since early manhood was connected with the cottonseed oil industry. He recently sold a large portion of his gas interests. At the time of his death Mr. Spann was president of Merchants Cotton Oil Company of Shreveport. As a citizen Mr. Spann bore the highest respect and admiration. He always took great interest in civic affairs. William Richard Spann was born at Fairview Landing, East Carroll Parish, Dec. 7, 1874, the son of the late W. R. Spann and Jeannette Craig Spann. He was educated at Mississippi College, Clinton, Miss. When a young man Mr. Spann entered the cottonseed business in Tallulah and Vicksburg. In 1916 Mr. Spann came to Shreveport and entered the casinghead gasoline industry. He built the first casinghead gasoline plant in the territory. After about two years Mr. Spann moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he remained until five years ago, returning to Shreveport, resuming activities in the cottonseed oil and gas business here. Mr. Spann married Miss Cornelia Montgomery in 1905, three children being born of this union, all of whom survive him. Mrs. Spann died four years ago. In 1926 Mr. Spann married Miss Wylma Perry of Vicksburg, who survives him. The surviving children are W. R. Spann, Jr., Howard and a daughter Mrs. K. R. Phillips of Shreveport. Mr. Spann's mother, Mrs. J. C. Yerger and a sister Mrs. W. M. Murphy of Tallulah also survive him. Mr. Spann was a Mason and member of the Baptist Church. From the Shreveport Journal