HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC109_ELMO_WILLARD_III_PAPERSDescriptive Sheet
The Elmo Willard III Papers
AC -109
(91 Inventory Available
General Type: Papers
Physical Description: 1 cu. ft., 21 placards
Inclusive Dates: 1887-1991
Donor: Patricia Willard
DESCRIPTION
This collection contains material about Mr. Willard's
contributions to the Beaumont area. There are many documents
detailing Mr. Willard's fight for civil rights during the 1960s and
through the 1990s. Mr. Willard was described by some as one of
the best lawyers in the state. He was one of the first blacks to
serve on the judiciary. A family owned business, Willard and
Willard Funeral Home, where Mr. Willard was director, proved to
be secondary to his law practice.
Early documents show that Willard led and pushed with great
success, the integration of Beaumont's public schools, libraries,
parks, and amusement facilities.
In 1984, legal proceedings led law suits filed by Mr. Willard
against the Beaumont school system and the Texas Education Agency.
These proceedings were on going until all cases were victories by
Mr. Willard.
This collection is arranged according to the following series:
correspondence, photographs, legal documents, newspaper clippings,
magazine articles and placards. Included in this collection are
invitations to the inaugurations of both Presidents Kennedy and
Johnson. The bulk of the collection contains legal papers.
No restrictions apply