Announcement of the Marriage of

Ola Simmons & Jesse Lee Williams

July 28, 1927
O’Donnell, Texas

416 Montecito Drive
San Angelo, Texas

Home of Jesse L. Williams, Ola Simmons Williams, Willis Lee Williams. Actually when Jesse & Ola moved into this house the address was 416 Avenue G. Montecito picked up in about two blocks. Montecito was "the street" in town. All of the nicest houses were on Montecito. Someone in the 500 block wanted to share in that, so these few blocks got a new name. Wanda Nell Williams was born in this house. See the window on the left (looking from the street). That is the room. Jesse at first paid $15 a month rent, but with the depression he could not afford that very long, so he told Carson Miles, the landlord he was going to pay $8.00, and did. Later Mr. Miles came to him and asked if he wanted to buy the house. All the rent could be down payment. So, of course Jesse bought the house -$1,500.00. Dale Edwin was also born while the family lived here - but he was born in Shannon Hospital. The sidewalk in front of the house had only 3 cement squares. It was on this tiny sidewalk Wanda skated, played hop scotch, jacks and other little girl activities. This house was the home for the five and occasionally six. Cora Addie Conner Williams sometimes lived here in this 5 room house.

Jesse Lee Williams
Ola Simmons Williams
Willis Lee Williams    about 5 years
Wanda Nell Williams about 2 years

January, 1935 
Jesse L & Ola Williams
  Willis Lee Williams             3 years  
Wanda Nell Williams            5 months
416 West Avenue G San Angelo, TX

 Look carefully at the snapshot of Jesse holding Wanda. Now look at the 8 x 10 family portrait.  You will see that it is the same Jesse minus Wanda and Willis.  He has been added to the picture of Ola and his left arm and leg artistically reconstructed after removal of the children. The whole thing was hand colored with oils.  

 Jesse was a "meat cutter" most of his life.  He did not like to be called a "butcher", although Ola often called him "Butch".  He was in his life time: a blacksmith, truck driver, cement worker, railroad fireman, and farmer.  Jesse did not get to finish high school because of family responsibilities.  He had a lot of good native intelligence and good practicality.

 His great pride and joy was earning more money after retirement than he ever did before retirement.  

Ola, the daughter of a farmer, knew hard farm work.  She was a Home maker, Mother, Sunday School teacher and good neighbor.  About 1954 she went to work selling piece goods at Levine's, Fabric Mart and Hemphill Wells.

  Jesse & Ola both were awarded "Life Award" from Eastern Star. They both had been very active for many years.

227 North Malone Street

San Angelo, Texas

Home of Jesse Lee, Ola Simmons, Willis Lee,  Wanda Nell & Dale Edwin Williams. On Wanda’s 13th birthday the move was made across town to 227 North Malone Street, the old Ed Schuch homestead. Jesse and Ola lived here  for forty  five years.  This house cost the Montecito house as a down payment to Ed Schuch (he gave this house to his son and his bride for their home) and $8,000.00.  Jesse was one sick man for several days ‑ he had really gone in debt for this six bedroom house.

For several years the three upstairs rooms were rented out to single young men.  Initially it was $5.00 a week.  It may have gotten up to $15.00 a week – I can't remember for sure.

This house has seen many wonderful times. All kinds of groups had parties here. The very best party ever was on June 15, 1957.  The  wedding reception for Wanda Williams Sibley & Robert A.  Sibley, Jr. was held here.  The guests came in the front door, through the receiving line, into the dining room for refreshment, through the hall into the front bedroom to see all the wedding gifts. Beautiful plan. There was only one problem.  Wanda had posted the shower schedule for about 12 people (family and relatives) on the closet door in the hall.  So every guest at the reception knew exactly when everyone took a bath and whether it was taken upstairs or downstairs.