Left to Right Wm. R. Hamby, Elisha Spradlin, Jerry West , Burkie Troxel

Rev. William Riley Hamby

Rev. Wm. R."Bill" Hamby (1 Oct 1853 - 15 Dec 1918)
Sarah "Sallie" Lay (7 Mar 1856 - 9 Feb 1913)
Married: 16 Dec 1872 Scott CO, TN

Bill was the eldest son of Abraham E. and Elizabeth "Chitwood" Hamby. His grandparents were Henry and Sara "Cross" Hamby.

When Bill was born, Franklin Pierce was president. When he was eight, President Lincoln took office and the Civil War began. He was 12 when the war ended.

Bill surrendered his life to Christ in 1874/75. Three years later he bagan preaching the Gospel. He joined the newly formed West Union Baptist Association and served faithfully until his death in 1918.

Bill was pastor of the Otter Creek Church for many years. Since his death, the church has been pastored by several of his descendants.

Herbert King of Strunk, Kentucky, remembered Rev. Hamby from attending Otter Church as a small boy. He said that Hamby was known as a "peacemaker." King also said that Rev. Hamby was the local veterinarian. It is unlikely that he had any professional training in that field but may have taught himself animal medicine.

Bill died at age 65 and is buried at Spradlin Cemetery, on the Kentucky /Tennessee line near Cross Roads, Tennessee. Sallie, crippled with arthritis, died five years earlier and was buried at the Perkins Cemetery, Winfield, Tennessee. Some have wondered why they were buried in different cemeteries. One story passed down states that she was first being cared for by her oldest daughter, Elizabeth. From there her Lay relatives took her to their home where she died. Possibly rainy weather and/or poor roads could have made the move difficult or impossible.

The following obituary appeared in the West Union Association publication.

OTTER CREEK: Sarah Hamby, wife of Elder W.R. Hamby, born March 7, 1856, departed this life Feb 9, 1913. She leaves a husband and four children, seven children gone before, (This is wrong. She had 11 living children at her death). Mrs. Hamby was a devoted member of the church about 23 years. The church and community suffer much loss, but we feel this loss is her gain eternal.

The following obituary appeared in the West Union Association publication when William R. Hamby died.

Elder W.R. Hamby, born Oct 22, 1853, departed this life Dec. 20, 1918. (Tombstone inscription reads date of birth 1 Oct/Death Certificate states that he died 15 Dec). He was a faithful member of the church 43 years. Forty years of this time he served as minister of the gospel. He leaves eleven children. (His daughter, Margaret died four years after his wife died, leaving 10 living children).

CHILDREN:
1. Elizabeth (1875-1946) mar. John E. Douglas/Ewell Jones
2. Margaret (19 Nov 1877-5 Sep 1917) mar. Sherman Ross/Manuel Stephens
3. Susan (13 Dec 1879-10 Jul 1930) mar. Jeremiah M. West
4. Millie (14 Aug 1882-5 Nov 1948) mar. Elisha Spradlin
5. Mindy (14 Aug 1882-1947) mar. Dowell W. Stringfield
6. Etta Mae (14 Feb 1886-27 Jan 1944) mar. Ray Vaughn Troxel
7. Henry Arthur (19 Jan 1887-15 Jun 1944) mar. Artie Mae Terry
8. Jesse Lay (21 Jan 1888-10 Jun 1941) mar. Amanda West
9. Abraham E.(Edd) (12 Jun 1894-24 Aug 1970) mar. Laura Roysden
10.Benjamin Franklin (16 Nov 1895-11 Dec 1950) mar.Tennie Smith/Opal Reed
11. Wm. McKinley (28 Jun 1898-6 Sep 1976) mar. Grace Boyatt

THE LAY FAMILY

Sara Lay was the daughter of Rev. Jesse Lay (31 Mar 1837-10 July 1919) and Delphia Murphy (29 Apr 1839-30 Sep 1916)

When Delphia died the following obituary appeared in the West Union Assoc. annual publication.

Pine Knot Church: Delphia Lay, wife of Jesse Lay, born apr 29, 1839 departed this life Sept 30 1916. She joined the Bethlehem Church when about 24 years old, was a charter member of three Baptist churches, viz., Jellico, Pleasant Grove and Pine Knot; was a member of this church at the time of her departure.

Jesse was locally known at "Fighting Jesse". He had great fist-fighting ability and undaunted courage. He was honest and upright and expected others to be the same.

CHILDREN
1. Sara Lay
2. Lewis Lay (died young)
3. Andrew Lay (died young)

Jesse was the son of Jesse Duncan Lay (1809/10-4 Nov 1896ARK) and Susannah Douglas (1807/8-1870ARK). His grandparents were Jesse Lay (abt 1767-1863) and Hannah "Gibson" (1st husband was Baird).