Mr. William Leroy Storms, Sr.

In San Saba Texas, eighty-two years ago a baby boy was born to William Henry Storms and Eloise Taylor Storms on September 13, 1938. He was named William Leroy Storms. William was not blessed with brothers or sisters, but had many who took him in as a brother.

His early childhood education 1st-8th grade began in San Saba. Having no high school for Negroes to attend at that time made it a necessary evil for him to relocate to another school to continue his education. In 1955 along with one black female he moved back to his hometown and finished his senior year. Being the only black male in his senior class made historical news.

Prairie View A&M College (Prairie View A&M University) was his choice for continuing his education. There he met the love of his life Dahl Barnes and they became husband and wife on August 5, 1961; to this union was born William Leroy Storms Jr.(deceased 1981) and Walter Eugene Storms (deceased 2016). He was blessed with a beautiful daughter-in-law Gwendolyn and two lovely grandchildren Walter Colby (Shannon) and Taylar D. Storms.

William and Dahl began their teaching careers in Ballinger, TX at George Washington Carver school 1st-12th grades, William coached basketball as well. In 1963 he was ordained at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Ballinger, TX as a deacon. After moving to Dallas, TX in 1964 he was an active deacon and chairman of the deacon board at Fruitdale Baptist Church. A few years later he was chairman of the Deacon board at Beckley Hills Baptist Church for a number of years. After uniting at Concord Baptist Church he became an Usher/greeter, a hospitality member, a Sunday morning bible fellowship member, and a Billy Townsend/Chester Vaughn Growth group member. In 1964 he taught school in the Wilmer Hutchins ISD, two years later Dallas ISD employed him.

With a career change in 1976, he began working for The General Motors Corporation truck division where he was a field Rep, Auditor and held other positions as well before retiring in 1999. After retiring he served two terms on the Dallas County Hospital board and five years on the Dallas Appraisal Review Board. He was a faithful member of a local organization for retired men. They called themselves (ROMEO’S) “Retired Old Men Eating Out”. The Prairie View Alumni Association, Dallas chapter had a special place in his heart. He served in several positions over the years.

His memories are cherished by his wife Dahl, Daughter-in-law Gwendolyn, Grandchildren Walter Colby Storms (Shannon) and Taylar D. Storms.