Durward Belmont Head ^{1 2 3 4}

  General Notes:

At the time of the 1930 census, Durward had been married one year. He was living on a farm in Bailey County, Texas, and renting his home. He was a general farmer. In 1930 and 1940 he was farming in Bailey County, Texas, also. He was listed with wife Mildred and children Marshal, Norman, and Irene. In 1950, the family included 2 year old Durward Glenn. They continued to farm in Bailey County, Texas.

Durward's final residence according to Social Security was Muleshoe, Bailey County, Texas.

From Tales & Trails of Bailey County, the First 70 Years, Taylor Publishing Co, Dallas, TX 1988

Durward Belmont Head, born January 11, 1903 at Dunn, Scurry County, Texas, is the son of John Jasper and Mary Ann (Fuller) Head. He grew up with his seven brothers and sisters in Dunn and Brownfield, Texas. They moved to Estancia, New Mexico. After two crop failures, they moved in covered wagons to eastern Oklahoma in 1925. Durward came to Muleshoe in 1927 and worked for Mervin Wilterding, his brother-in-law. In 1928 he bought teams and rented some land and started farming for himself. It was in 1927 he met Mildred Wilterding.

Mildred Emma Wilterding was born April 3, 1907 in Lincoln, Nebraska and in 1908 moved with her parents, Will Marshall and Laura Belle (Barnhill) Wilterding and brother Mervin, to Bailey County, Texas. Her Mother, Laura, died March 13, 1911. Will, Mervin and Mildred made their home with Will's mother and sister, Emma and dottie Wilterding.

Durward Head and Mildred Wilterding were married April 3, 1929 at her father and Aunt Dot's home. After a weekend honeymoon in Lubbock, they moved into the house that her parents had built in 1908. They farmed, milked cows, raised hogs and chickens and made a garden. During the hard times in the 30s the cream and eggs kept groceries on the table and what was left put gas in the car. Saturday afternoons everyone went to town to take their produce, buy groceries and visit.

Durward and Mildred's first child John Marshal, was born July 31, 1931. Four years later July 30, 1935 Norman Ray was born, then Mildred Irene October 30, 1936 and Durward Glenn March 12, 1948. They grew up on the farm and all attended school at YL and Muleshoe. All four are graduates of Muleshoe.

Durward and Mildred were active members of the YL Methodist Church. When the school consolidated with Muleshoe and the church was remodeling the building, Sunday school and church were held in the Head home about six weeks. The church closed in 1975 and the membership was transferred to the First United Methodist Church in Muleshoe where they still attend.

Durward retired from farming in 1968. He and Mildred continue to live on the farm. In the 58 years they have been married they have lived in three different houses. In 1948 they built their present home near the site of their first home.

Marshal Head and Jo Anne May were married October 7, 1951. They have four children. They live in Bailey County. Norman and Helen Nadine Mitchell were married December 18, 1954. They have two children. Norman and Helen also live in Bailey County. Irene and Charles E. Sudduth were married January 12, 1961. They have two children and live in Dry Prong, Louisiana. Glenn and Rose Mary Champion were married May 27, 1972. they have two boys. He is now practicing veterinary medicine in Brownsville, Texas. (Submitted by Mildred Head)

Durward married Mildred Emma Wilterding, daughter of Will Marshal Wilterding and Laura Belle Barnhill, on 3 Apr 1929. (Mildred Emma Wilterding was born on 3 Apr 1907 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska,⁷ died on 3 May 1998 in , Bailey County, Texas ^{6 7} and was buried in Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery, Muleshoe, Bailey County, Texas.)