Abe Washam~ ~ ~ 1909-1977

Submitted by: Shirley Harlan

Abe Washam Dies; Tuesday Funeral Set

Abe Washam, 90 Elmwood, died early Sunday morning at his home following a short illness. He was 68.

Born May 30, 1909 at Chickasha, he moved with his family to Ponca City at the age of five. He attended schools here, graduated from Ponca City High School and attend Oklahoma State University.

As a young man Washam was employed by the Ponca City Fire Department. He entered the U. S. Army in 1941 and was assigned to the military police company of the 45th Division. After Pearl Harbor he attended the officer candidate school at Ft. Benning, Ga., and served in the South Pacific during World War II.

He was released to inactive duty in January 1946 and returned to the fire department here, being named fire marshal. Washam remained in the Army Reserve. A criminal investigation detachment was formed in 1947 with Washam as commanding officer.

The detachment was activated for duty during the Korean Conflict and Washam served 18 months in Korea, six months on Koie Island and 12 months in Seoul as assistant provost marshal and later as fire marshal for the City of Seoul.

He returned to Ponca City June 1, 1957 and retired from the Army on May 13, 1969, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Oct. 3, 1968. Washam was married to Ellen R. Wallen here in Ponca City in 1968. He was employed by the Maintenance Department of the Ponca City School System until his retirement in 1971.

Washam was a member of the First United Methodist Church; American Legion; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Masonic Lodge No. 83; Knights Templar; Ben Hur Commandery No. 14; Akdar Temple; Ancient Order of Nobles Mystic Shrine.

Surviving are his wife of the home; a step-son, Michael Wallen, 112 Cooley; one brother, John Washam, Vallejo, Calif., a step-sister, Mrs. Kenneth (Hazel) Long, Ponca City, and two grandsons, Scott and Chris Wallen.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church with the pastor, the Rev. Richard Gibbens, officiating. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery under direction of E.M. Trout and Sons Funeral Home.

The body will lie in state at the Trout Funeral Home chapel until noon Tuesday and the casket will not be opened following the service.

© The Ponca City News
Monday, July 25, 1977