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Out of the four sons of Jeff David Wilkinson, 3 were Beaumont Fire Fighters

l-r: Jeff "Jep" Frank, Wilburn "Bill" Joseph, & Oscar "Onion" Monroe Wilkinson. Onion's retirement party 

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1900 Central Fire Dept. Beaumont Texas

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These pictures are sections of a group photo taken outside the Central Fire-station, downtown Beaumont, ca. 1926.

W.J. "Bill" Wilkinson - center
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W.J. Wilkinson-3rd from the right
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Today this station houses the museum and the administrative offices, including Arson Investigation.

If anyone knows the names of any of these firemen, please send the name and describe where they are in the photos and I will post their names here.

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My grandfather outside Central Fire Station




My grandfather, Bill Wilkinson outside of the old Central Fire Station--1926. He had recently joined the fire department.

Bill retired in 1973 as District Fire Chief and C.A. "Pete" Shelton succeeded him. Pete loved my grandfather. They were very close and several of the firemen, including Pete attended my grandmother's funeral in 1998.

Uncle Jep was a Battalion Chief. At this time, I am not sure what position Uncle Onion held.
If anyone reading this attended my grandfather's funeral in 1989, & took photos, please send me an email.

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1954 Beaumont Enterprise and Journal headline:

"Bridges Named Shift Caption at Central Fire Station, Wilkinson to Head No. 9"

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1954 newspaper clipping of Bill's promotion

Oct. 20, 1947  Firemans Funeral

This photo of a fireman's funeral from my grandparent's photo album.  The date on the back states "Oct. 20, 1947" but there isn't a name.Click on the image to see a larger version. I found a program flyer from the Oct. 9, 1984 event at the old Central Fire Department. There was an insert titled "Deceased & Retired Firefighters". On Oct 18, 1947 William Smith passed away.

texashistoryhunter.net

Ralph D. Shelton ~ June 24, 1902 to March 5, 1979

Ralph D. Shelton, Sr Funeral Announcement

Click the link below for some old photos of Beaumont,Texas. I found "OldFamilyPhotos.com" while searching for images of the old Central Fire Station. There are 2 old fire horses buried under the floor of the Central Station, which now houses the Fire Museum of Texas.


Here is a list of Historical markers if you are planning to visit the Beaumont area.

My sister, Kim Thibodeaux, suggested I create a page honoring
my grandfather's service in the Beaumont Fire Dept.
  

Excellent idea!

Thanks Kim!

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©2002-2007 Sherry Wilkinson Hightower
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