William Thomas Vaughn Sr.
March 6, 2013
The Rev. William Thomas Vaughn Sr., better known as “Papa Vaughn,” was born March 3, 1924, in rural Freestone County to John H. and Lugenia Allen Vaughn. He was one of 11 children. He graduated from Furney Richardson High School. The Rev. Vaughn served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1943. He matriculated at Prairie View A&M University and later at Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas. In 1945, he married Elizabeth Ross. The couple had three children.
In the late 1940s, the Rev. Vaughn was ordained as a minister in the A.M.E. Church and began his ecclesiastical career. He pastored many churches across the state of Texas.
The Rev. Vaughn’s 54-year service to the church included being a delegate to 12 or more A.M.E. Quadrennials, chairman of the Examining Board, instructor for Christian Education and trustee of the North East Texas Conference of the A.M.E. Church.
Survivors include his son, the Rev. William Thomas Vaughn Jr. and wife Lydia of Big Spring, Texas; sister, Laura Muckelroy of Dallas, Texas; two grandsons; three granddaughters; many great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Baker Chapel, A.M.E. Church, 1050 E. Humbolt, Fort Worth. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at DFW National Cemetery at Grand Prairie.
Arrangements are by Baker Funeral Home in Fort Worth.
