William John Barrett was the son of Steven Franklin Barrett and Molly Bobo King Barrett and the GGGGgrandson of Reuben Barrett. He was born and raised in Madison County, Texas.

Will Barrett worked many jobs in his life, he was a jack of all trades a very hard working man, he was not afraid of change nor striving to make a better life for his wife and children. He worked as a "Dog Seargent" at a prison in Arlington, TX from 1935 to 1938. His rank was second under the warden. It was his job to head all the searches for escape convicts, they would mount horses and take blood hounds out to search until the convicts were caught. He was also over all the convict guards that worked in the fields. One infamous convict that he had to chase was Clyde Barrow of Bonnie and Clyde fame.

In 1937-38 he moved back to Trinity, TX and tried his hand at farming, he loved to farm and tried it many times over, they lived in Carlisle,TX., they had mules and horses on their farm that the children enjoyed playing on.

In 1940 they moved to Sugarland, TX a million dollar sugar refinery had just been built and there was work there at Marshall Canning Co. Will worked for 1 or 2 dollars a day.

In 1941 he moved to the next town, Missouri City, TX and he picked cotton and worked at a gas station for a friend of his. They lived in a tent with wooden walls half way up and a canvass top.. He would do anything just to make a living. They moved into a regular house that year and a huge storm hit the area. Will and Lois and their children sat in their living room and they all prayed for God to protect them and their house, they prayed through the whole storm. When it was over they went outside and all the other houses around them were totally destroyed, and on their house not even a piece of tin was lifted from the roof. Will and Lois were devoted Christians, they raised their children in the Assembly of God Church.

Will believed in wearing his gun and gun belt and he wore it up until around 1909, all the people were getting on him about wearing it, but he didn't want to give it up so he bought a smaller gun a .38 and wore it until 1947. Will also loved knives was very good at throwing them.

During World war II Will worked as a guard on a bridge over the Trinity River, everyone who passed across had to check with him first, this was in 1942-43

In 1943 the family moved to Crosby, then moved to SW Houston around Holmes road and Alameda Road, the children attended Alameda Elementary School, (the first of three generations to attend it). Will worked at Brown Shipyard as a welder. His son Louie Franklin and his new bide of three years also lived there and Louie worked with his father.

In 1945-47 they moved back to Trinity, TX and attempted his hand at farming again, he loved farming and once again failed so in 1948 they moved to Waxahachie, TX and Will worked in the Dallas area as a carpenter for a couple of years. in 1949 they moved back to Houston,TX, 1952 moved to Amelia, TX a part of Beaumont and in 1955 they sold the house there and moved to Silsbee,TX. , then in the 1970's back to Trinity Co.,Tx.

William John Barrett and Lois Elizabeth Hoeser Barrett celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary by going to church, on their way home on the 10th of April 1976 a drunk driver hit their car and the impact threw William from the car and killed him instantly. Lois was taken to the hospital, but she died two days later on the 12th of April 1976. Will and Lois lived their whole lives for their children and for the service of the Lord.

Children Of William Barrett and Lois Hoeser:

Lula Agnes Barrett 1915-1933	Steve William Barrett 1929-1994	Pictures
Robert Dan Barrett 1919-1950	Lottie Mae Barrett (Living)	Letters
Louie Franklin Barrett 1921-1987	James Paul Barrett (Living)	Documents
Mary Evelyn Barrett 1923-1994	John Ferrell Barrett 1941-1959	Hoeser Family Line