After 70-Years, Walvoord Couple Thinks Their Marriage Might Just Succeed

Peggy and David in April 2022

David Randall Walvoord, a native of Racine, Wisconsin, married Naomi Ruth “Peggy” Phillips, a native of Shamrock,Texas on April 13, 1952 in Locust Grove, Texas.

After being set up on a blind date by David’s sister Joann who worked with Peggy at the phone company, David and Peggy started dating.

Five months later, on April 13, 1952, David and Peggy married each other in Locust Grove Baptist Church in Locust Grove, Texas.

David and Peggy Walvoord, April 13th, 1952

The pastor that married them was Clayton Watkins who was the same pastor that baptized Peggy at age 13. Joann (Walvoord) Forbes was Peggy’s Matron of Honor and Bill Forbes was David’s Best Man.

David, is the second of seven children born to  Randall and Elizabeth Walvoord.

Peggy is the fourth of five children born to Elmo and Callie (Henshaw) Phillips.

David and Peggy had three boys, KeithKit, and Scott.

Kit, their second son died in 2014.

David and Peggy have six grandchildren. KirkTylerPrestonCarolineCatherine, and Katie Grace.

Updated: April 13, 2022 — 3:46 AM

Walvoords Celebrated 60th Wedding Anniversary this past week.

Gary Eugene Walvoord, a native of Denver, Colorado married Bonnie Kay Weber of Seattle, Washington on June 25, 1961.

Gary and Bonnie met on a blind date while they were both attending The University of Colorado.

They were married in Scarsdale, New York where Bonnie’s parents lived.

They have two children, Eric Walvoord and Traci Gleason, and two grandchildren, Connor and Katie.

Gary is the second of four sons born to Oliver Wendall Walvoord (1908-1989) and Evelyn Elizabeth Greenway (1910-1995).

He is the grandson of John Christian Walvoord Sr. (1879-1964) and Sarah Cornlia Trompen (1881-1966).

Updated: June 30, 2021 — 9:12 PM

Walvoord Celebrates 90th Birthday

David Randall Walvoord who once reportedly “won” the Middle Weight Championship of the World against Robert Villemain in 1951 (see accompanying link) turned 90-years-old today.

David was born February 27, 1931 in Racine, Wisconsin. In December 2020, just before Christmas, his entire progeny, gathered in Amarillo, Texas during a world-wide pandemic, in-person in a socially-distanced and masked birthday party (masks were removed for photos).

The Walvoord family also celebrated their mom’s/grandmother’s (Peggy Walvoord’s) 87th birthday at the same gathering.

Here are some photos of the family from the party:

To read more about David’s life including his “Middle-weight championship” see his biography here: David Randall Walvoord (1931- )

Updated: June 11, 2022 — 7:32 PM

Christmas Genealogy of Christ

One of the neat things about living in Nashville is the great music here and the people who create it. A one-time neighbor of mine that lived one block over was Andrew Peterson. Occasionally, we’d run into each other on the mountain bike trails behind our house and our kid, his kids, and others would play in the common area out back.

Andrew is a well-known singer-songwriter and is now an accomplished and award-winning children’s book author of The Wingfeather Saga.

Years ago, Andrew wrote a song of the Genealogy of Christ outlined in the Book of Matthew called “Matthew Begats.” It’s a fun song that makes Christ’s family tree come alive through many, many, generations. It’s really a Christmas Song.

My Begats….starting in 1620..

Derrijck Gesinck had Herbert
Herbert, he had Derk
Derk, he had Jan Derk Geesink In ‘T Walvoort and his kin
Then Jan Derk and Elisabeth Ten Bokkel
Then Came Derk Anthonij Walvoort and from his woman Janna Beestman
begat Salomon, he brought Hendrik up
And then came Gerrit Jan, then Henry
Who with Henrietta fathered John Garrett
he married Mary who had Randall
Who had David along with Naomi Ruth, called Peggy
had Scott who we know made this website… he had Katie Grace by Amy….

…well, not quite as catchy as Andrew’s song. but still fun to try and sing. So who begat you? We were all brought into existence by that same Creator who begat us all.

Amazing to think about as that Creator stepped into human history as a little baby who was begat by all these lowly humans to show us what humanity is all about.

Merry Christmas.

Updated: December 15, 2020 — 9:07 PM

Happy 4th Of July from the Walvoord Family to You

After immigrating to America in 1847 (to Wisconsin) and 1870 (to Nebraska) the native Dutch Walvoord Families celebrated their new American freedoms by gathering together and celebrating America’s birthday. This was an annual reunion event for many years in both Wisconsin and Nebraska.

The Walvoord Family in Wisconsin c. July 4, 1912

In the first picture are descendants of the Henry and Henrietta Walvoord Family of Cedar Grove and Amsterdam, Wisconsin about 1912. My Great-grandfather (John G. Walvoord) is seated along the left side of the wagon in the middle wearing a white straw hat. My grandfather (Randall Henry Walvoord) is the boy seated in the back corner of the wagon holding an American Flag.

The Walvoord Family in Nebraska c. September 1911 (Corrected)

In the second picture are descendants of the William O. and Janna Walvoord family of Holland, Nebraska in Lincoln County in September 1911. (Photo originally thought to be taken at one of the annual 4th of July family reunion picnics). William Walvoord is in the middle row 4th from the left wearing a vest. His wife Janna is standing behind him in black with her hands on his shoulders. William and Janna had eight children.

Updated: July 5, 2020 — 7:27 AM

Content is King

Operating WalvoordHistory.com is an amazingly enjoyable hobby for me. Updating and adding new photos and stories is a simply a lot of fun.

I’ve had web developer friends look at the website and give pointers and advice on what I’m wanting to accomplish. They’ve been surprised on how extensive this website is, in number of pages, posts, and photos.

But as much content as there is, I know from my genealogy research that I have only scratched the surface and entire branches of the Walvoord and Walvoort Families are completely neglected!

For instance, I knew for years that Walvoords had settled in Nebraska, but had practically nothing on that branch as far as stories and pictures until Ann Walvoord Graff and Cindy Walvoord Lett sent in a wonderful treasure-trove of photos and biographies a few years back.

Is your family underrepresented here? Send in your family history now!

We are up to 46 photos in the Walvoord Wedding Photo Album and adding more pictures weekly as they are received.

Here’s some ideas that you can send in to contribute:

  • 2020 Walvoord Graduates Photos/News (or any year).
  • More Walvoord Wedding Photos
  • Anniversary Announcements/News
  • Obituaries
  • Birth Announcements and/or photos
  • Biography of your Walvoord Ancestor

Until I get a new email for this site (eta late 2020 or early 2021) send all content through our Facebook page or Messenger.

Here’s a look at new content added in the past few weeks:

Updated: June 27, 2020 — 5:42 PM

Walvoord Descendant and Spouse Celebrate 25th Silver Wedding Anniversary

Leanna Walvoord of Odessa, Texas married William Kirkland “Kirk” Bond, D.D.S. 25-years-ago today on June 17, 1995 in Midland, Texas. Leanna is the daughter of Alvin Francis Walvoord, Jr. and Delores Jean (Mohler) Walvoord. Mr. and Mrs. Bond reside in Temple, Texas and and have two children, Annalise and Sarah. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bond!

Updated: June 27, 2020 — 7:18 AM

Walvoords Celebrate 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary!

Fifty-Years-Ago, New Orleans, Louisiana Native, James Morgan “Jim” Walvoord married Lander, Wyoming Native, Sara Lynn Soderberg on June 6, 1970 in New Orleans. Jim is the son of the late James Garret Walvoord (1921-1997) and Zora Lucile (Morgan) Walvoord (1921-2010). Jim and Sara have two children. John Christian Walvoord of San Antonio, Texas and Kristy Alice (Walvoord) Franta of Austin, Texas.

Updated: June 6, 2020 — 3:28 PM

133-Year-Old Walvoord Family Bible Returned

When Wilene Rushing attended an estate sale in Plano, Texas recently, she found and purchased a what she thought was a small “German” Bible published in 1884.

Written inside the Bible was the name, “Alvin Walvoord Cedar Grove Jan 10 1900.”

Nearly any Walvoord would know that “Cedar Grove” was referring to the one in Wisconsin where many of the first Walvoord immigrants from the Netherlands settled.

Wilene knew this was a find that some family would treasure.  Searching the Internet, she contacted WalvoordHistory.com, by making a post about it on the Comments Page.

She posted, “Next page Antoinette born Oct 16 1888 Alvin born Dec 30 1890 Mabel born May 19 1893 Agnes born July 10 1896 Mother died Sept 5 1897”

Those names, were the names and birth-dates of Alvin and his sisters and the death of his mother.

Inside the title page are written the birth-dates of the children of Tony Walvoord (1857-1941) and Jane M. (Pott) Walvoord (1867-1897). At the bottom of the page, is the date “Mother” (Jane Walvoord) died, “September 5, 1897.”

It is possible that this Bible was presented to Alvin for a 10th birthday present or perhaps a church confirmation of some sort.

Since it was in Dutch, it might’ve belonged to one of his parents (who were both born in Wisconsin, but whose parents were all born in the Netherlands).  The Dutch language was still spoken locally at this time and Dutch was even still preached from the pulpit.

Alvin Walvoord’s Bible published in 1884 has a spine no taller than a fountain pen.

Could it have belonged to Jane M. (Pott) Walvoord before it was given to Alvin? She died in 1897 and Tony Walvoord remarried Sarah Jane Hilbelink on November 29, 1900.

Was it a gift from one of Alvin’s Dutch grandparents?

We may not know the answers to these questions.  That’s some of the fun of family history, to ask the questions. The fact that it was in Dutch and Alvin’s mother had died just more than two years before, makes one wonder. But my guess would be, that it was always Alvin’s Bible.

According to David Laux Walvoord, grandson of Alvin Walvoord and son of Alvin Walvoord, Jr., the Bible ended up in that estate sale by accident. The Bible had been in the possession of Clara Frances (Walvoord) Hudspeth, daughter of Alvin and older sister of Alvin, Jr.

She has been moved to a retirement home and her house had been sold, and “it had just slipped through the cracks.”

Decorative flyleaf of Alvin Walvoord’s Bible published in 1884.

Psalm 23 and 24, in the Dutch Language Bible of Alvin Walvoord. Interesting that the Psalms (Songs) of the Bible are set to music. I haven’t seen an English Language Bible Psalms’ set to music.

I posted to Wilene, that Alvin Walvoord, Jr. was still alive and residing in Midland, Texas (he is a retired judge).  I let her know that I was friends with his son David and daughter Leanna on Facebook and that I would pass this information on to them.

David and Leanna were very interested and reached out to Wilene.

Wilene was great and this treasure was returned to the family.

Incidentally, Leanna Walvoord (now Bond) and Jeanan Walvoord (now Hamilton) attended Baylor University at the same time and met one another.  It is rare running into another Walvoord.  They were trying to figure out how they were related to each other and couldn’t quite figure it out.  They both knew how they were related to John F. Walvoord of Dallas Theological Seminar and were able to figure it out from there!

 

 

 

 

Updated: May 30, 2017 — 8:26 PM

Walvoords Celebrate 65 Years of Marriage!

David and Peggy (Phillips) Walvoord were married on April 13, 1952.

David Randall Walvoord, a native of Racine, Wisconsin, married Naomi Ruth “Peggy” Phillips, a native of Shamrock,Texas on April 13, 1952 in Locust Grove, Texas.

After being set up on a blind date by David’s sister Joann who worked with Peggy at the phone company, David and Peggy started dating.

Five months later, on April 13, 1952, David and Peggy married each other in Locust Grove Baptist Church in Locust Grove, Texas.

The pastor that married them was Clayton Watkins who was the same pastor that baptized Peggy at age 13. Joann (Walvoord) Forbes was Peggy’s Matron of Honor and Bill Forbes was David’s Best Man.

David, is the second of seven children born to  Randall and Elizabeth Walvoord.

Peggy is the fourth of five children born to Elmo and Callie (Henshaw) Phillips.

David and Peggy had three boys, Keith, Kit, and Scott.

Kit, their second son died in 2014.

David and Peggy have six grandchildren. Kirk, Tyler, Preston, Caroline, Catherine, and Katie Grace.

 

Wedding Cake

Cutting the cake.

(left to right) Callie Phillips (mother of the bride), Peggy Walvoord (bride), David Walvoord (groom), Elizabeth Walvoord (mother of the groom), and Randall Walvoord (father of the groom)

David and Peggy Walvoord 2010

David and Peggy Walvoord 2010

Updated: June 16, 2020 — 8:43 PM

Walvoord Helps Badgers Win First Basketball Title

On, Wisconsin!

With “March Madness” in full swing, it appropriate to look back at some “Historical Hysteria.”

Did you know that a Walvoord was on The University of Wisconsin’s first Badger Basketball Championship team?

Anthony J. Walvoord from Sheboygan County played on the 1904-1905 Badger Basketball team.

The team went 10-3 on the season and won the Western Championship, the schools first basketball title!  UW beat previously undefeated Chicago University in the championship 29-24.

This was the first team coached by Emmett Angell who came to UW as a gymnasium instructor and served as head basketball coach through 1908. His teams compiled an overall record of 43-15 for a winning percentage of .714, best to date in UW basketball history.

Anthony J. Walvoord from Sheboygan County played on the 1904-1905 Badger Basketball team. He is shown here seated to the far left.

For more on Anthony Walvoord, click here.

Updated: May 31, 2020 — 8:52 AM

Arlan Jay Walvoord (1955-2016)

Arlan Jay Walvoord (1955-2016)

Arlan J. Walvoord, 60 of Firth died Saturday, February 13, 2016. He was a former systems computer programmer with the State of Nebraska and a member of Living Life Reformed Church. Arlan’s focus in life was to follow Jesus, love his family, and love his church community.

Survivors: wife, Bonnie; daughter, Chelsea Walvoord of Lincoln; son, Brian of Firth; two grandchildren, Hudson and Everson; sister, Elaine (Bill) Biggs of Lincoln; nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Martha and brothers, Edgar and Ronald.

Memorial services: 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 17 at Living Life Reformed Church, Firth. Pastor Jim Koopman. Private family burial prior to memorial service. Memorials to church. Visitation with family: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home, Hickman.

Updated: February 10, 2017 — 5:58 AM

Marion Jane (Meerdink) Walvoord (1924-2016)

Marion J. Walvoord, 92, of Oostburg died peacefully early on Thursday morning,
October 6, 2016 at Pine Haven Residential Home in Sheboygan Falls where she had
resided for the past year.

Marion was born on May 31, 1924, in the Town of Lima, the daughter of the late
Arthur and Jenny (Oonk) Meerdink. Marion attended Oostburg High School. On
December 28, 1945 she married Lloyd J. Walvoord in Hingham. She and her husband
owned and operated a dairy farm in the Town of Holland for many years. Lloyd
preceded her in death following 61 years of marriage.

Marion was a member of the First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove, the Ladies Aid
and Senior group there. She was also a member of the Homemakers Club. Marion
enjoyed hymn sings and playing the harmonica and piano, bingo and card games,
gardening, freezing and canning, travel and spending time with her family and
friends.

Marion is survived by four daughters, Jean Steinhardt of Plymouth, Barbara
(Wayne) Claerbout of Gibbsville, Donna (Jerry) Schneider of Hartford, and Mary
(James) Roethel of Oostburg; four sons, Kenneth (Jeanne) Walvoord of Oostburg,
Roger Walvoord of Oostburg, Gary (Robyn) Walvoord of Kansasville, Randall
(Linda) Walvoord of Oostburg; 16 grandchildren, Michael Steinhardt, Julie (Kent)
Kowitz, Jim (Dawn) Claerbout, Amy (Tom) Bruggink, Teresa (Dennis) Egerer, Ryan
(Jessica) Walvoord, Eric (Esther) Schneider, Aaron (Megan) Schneider, Andrew
(Annika) Schneider, Benjamin Walvoord, Nicholas Walvoord, Angela (Ben) Wendorf,
Rev. Michelle (Josh) Gross, Grant (Rachel) Roethel, Katie (EJ) Saldana, Jonathan
Walvoord; 16 great grandchildren; one sister, Doris Carlson of Minnesota; and
one brother, A. Glenn (Sharon) Meerdink of Ohio.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; one grandson, Shawn
Walvoord; one brother-in-law, Kenneth Carlson, and a step brother, LaMont
(Arlean) Daane.

A funeral to celebrate Marion’s life will take place at the First Reformed
Church in Cedar Grove on Monday, October 10, 2016 at 11 am with the Revs. Kent
Vant Hul and Michelle Gross officiating. Burial will follow at Hingham Cemetery
in the Town of Lima.

Family and friends will gather at the church on Sunday from 4-7 pm, and on
Monday from 10 am until the time of the service.

For online condolences and additional information please visit
www.wenigfuneralhome.com

A memorial fund is being established in her memory for First Reformed Church.

The Walvoord family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the
staffs at Pine Haven Residential Home and St. Nicholas Home Health Care and
Hospice for the loving and dedicated care given to Marion and their family.

The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the
Walvoord family.

Updated: February 10, 2017 — 5:59 AM

Wilber Wayne Walvoord (1927-2016)

Wilber Wayne Walvoord (1927-2016)

Wilbur W. Walvoord, age 89, passed away on May 12, 2016 at his Sabina, Ohio home.

He was born on April 9th, 1927 in Ravenna, Ohio, the youngest of four children of Clarence and Fern (Rogers) Walvoord. He spent his childhood on his parents’ sheep farm in Edinburg, Ohio, and graduated from Edinburg high school with his sweetheart, Marjory Buchanan, who became his wife in 1946. He served as a radio man in the navy during WWII, then graduated from the Ohio State University with a BS in Agriculture and became a lifelong Buckeye fan. He managed several farms in Ohio and, after retiring from farming. When he was 70 years old, he designed and built a beautiful log home where he and Marj lived the rest of their lives. His hobbies were building and repairing clocks and furniture, and, being a farmer, he could fix anything. He solved the crossword puzzles, cryptograms, and jumbles in the daily newspaper and could guess the Wheel of Fortune puzzles long before anyone else had a clue. Although he was quiet and reserved, he always came up with a clever quip. He was a loving and steadfast husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and his absence has left an enormous void.

Wilbur was preceded in death by Marjory (Buchanan) Walvoord, his wife of 59 years, his parents, and two siblings, Roseanne (Roy) Hastings, and Roger (Inabel) Walvoord.

He is survived by his sister, Margaret (Elbert) Steele, sons Wayne, John (Nancy), and Michael (Gloria Roberts) Walvoord, daughters Christine Finch and Deborah Walvoord, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many extended family members.

A memorial service is planned for August 20, 2016, at 1:30 p.m., at the Edinburg Cemetery Chapel (Route 14, Ravenna, Ohio).

Updated: February 10, 2017 — 6:00 AM

Walvoords Celebrate 55 years of Marriage!

Mr. & Mrs. Johnny Walvoord on December, 16, 1961.

John Earl “Johnny” Walvoord, a native of Racine, Wisconsin, married Caroline Nan “Nan” Spears, a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on December 16, 1961 in Pine Bluff.

Johnny, is the fourth of seven children born to  Randall and Elizabeth Walvoord.  Nan is the third of four children born to Ira and Helen (West) Spears.

Johnny and Nan have two children.  Son, Shaun and daughter Jeanan.

Daughter, Jeanan, describes her dad as “a patient, smiling, loyal, gentle, quiet, saver, math genius, hard worker.”

She describes her mom as, “the life of the party, generous, loving, shopper, talker, fun, smart, everyone’s best friend!”

But states that, “their common bond is their love & honor for our Savior. I’m so blessed I get to call them my parents! Happy 55th!!!”

Nan (Spears) Walvoord with her wedding attendants. Betty Jo Walvoord, sister of the groom, is at the far left.

The Proposal

She said, “YES!”

Updated: June 16, 2020 — 8:44 PM