Wanda Nell Williams is sitting by the bench on which she was sitting one Sunday afternoon in late October, 1956, after church and dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Austin, Texas.  Bob and Wanda were sitting on this bench before going into the Scottish Rite Dorm to study. The next thing either of them knew Bob was proposing to Wanda.  They had been dating about 6 weeks.

Tree over the bench

Robert Alton Sibley, Jr. & Wanda Nell Williams

Engagement picture

November, 1956

Ola Simmons Williams made the wedding dress for Wanda.  No pattern, no instructions other than this picture from a Bride’s magazine

ROBERT ALTON SIBLEY, JR & WANDA NELL WILLIAMS COUNTDOWN

Bob & Wanda became “engaged  with ring” on November 2, 1956.  The wedding was June 15, 1957.

June seemed like a terribly long way off.  Somewhere along the way this countdown sheet was used.  The first thing we did each day when we saw each other was together mark off that day.

The final day was marked off at the reception after the ceremony.