W. A. Wier

William A. Wier, son of the late Robert 0. Wier and his wife, Laura F. Grant of Noxubee county, Mississippi, was born near Macon, Miss, May 15, 1870.

At the early age of 14 he was left an orphan, both father and mother dying in 1884. This deprived him of educational advantages, but being a boy of ambition and perseverance he dug out, almost unaided, a fair English education. He attended school for a while, prior to his parents' death, in Pickensville, Alabama. After struggling for some time, he met Captain Wright, who was conducting a school for boys in Livingston, Ala. He secured a place and taught in this school and pursued his studies under the direction of Captain Wright.

He was always of a religious turn ot mind and was never seen in bad company nor heard to use bad language. He was converted at an early age and united with the M. E. Church, South, at Pickensville, Ala., under the ministry of Rev. D. R McDonald of the North Alabama conference. He eame to Florida in 1866 and stayed a while in Sumpter county with his brothers, the late Thomas A. Wier, and Rev. Robert 0. Wier, then a memher of the Florida conference, but now of the Texas conference. While living with the latter he was licensed to preach at Stewart's chapel, Webster, Fla., in l889, when only l9 years of age. After this he returned to Alabama and it was then that he taught with Captain Wright in Livingston.

He returned to Florida in 1893 and taught school in Gadsden and Polk counties. In 1893 he was recommended to annual conference by the Bowling Green quarterly conference, Rev. A. E. Householder, P. E., and Rev. R. 0. Wier. P. C. He was admitted on trial at Palatka, Fla., in January, 1894. He was sent to the Fort Bassinger mission. While on this charge he was married in 1894 to Miss Lulu Odom, daughter of the late Ebenezer Odom, near Plant City, Fla. He was true to his convictions and lived without a hlemish on his character. He leaves hehind him to mourn his going away a wife and five children, three boys and two girls; three brothers, Rev. R. 0. Wier of the Texas conference, J. S. and J. W. Wier of Bessemer, Ala., and four sisters, Mrs. B. Wier of Birmingham, Ala., and Mrs. C. 0. Hilton of Atlanta, Ga., Mrs. A. H. Rummen of Prinston, Fla., and Mrs. J. J. Neylans, Jr, of Tampa, Fla., and a host of friends wherever he has been.

Will was a noble boy. He wouldn't do a little mean thing. He was a true man. He was consecrated to his work. He loved the work. He had a hard time but he bore it bravely, and God has said, "It is enough, come up higher." Our hearts are bowed in sorrow but we sorrow not as those who have no hope. We will meet him again where sorrow, never comes and they never say goodbye.

May our Heavenly Father take care of his loved ones left behind. May they all meet him in the Father's house above.