Person:William Railsback (2)

About William "Bill" Railsback

William Thomas "Bill" Railsback was born 13 July 1912 in Oklahoma, the son of Daniel D. Railsback (b. 1869, Kentucky) and his wife Ella M. Smith (b. 1876, Kansas). He grew up during the height of the "Great Depression", when as a young boy, he helped pack potatoes [then called "peckin spuds"] for folks who came into town to trade on Saturday nights.

Bill attended Oklahoma State College and earned his credential in education, but later said that the only use he every put it to was acting as a civilian instructor for the Air Force during the war. [Deli News Magazine, May 1964]. Bill was co-captain of the varsity basketball team and "towered" over many players at 6'6". [Corona Daily Independent: Wednesday, December 16, 1953] According the the 1940 U.S. Census, Bill had completed 3 years of his college education.

In 1937, Bill came to California and managed gas stations before the war for Standard Oil, which is confirmed in the 1940 U.S. Census, listing his occupation as "cashier in an auto garage". Afterwardes, he ran a grocery store with his uncle in Inglewood, which proved to be his first experience in the food industry. After the war, he went into the construction business.

On June 20, 1947, Bill went to work for Southern California supermarket chain Alpha Beta, as a clerk on one of its stores. Within a short time, he worked his way up to being a store supervisor and then worked in the corporate office. After 10 years with Alpha Beta, Bill started as a Deli Merchandiser as well as Production Director for Alpha Bets's Central Kitchen. In 1959, Bill's responsibilities of Deli Merchandiser were assumed by fellow co-worker Pete Uraine. Pete was responsible for all branded products and Bill was responsible for the deli warehousing operation.

Bill Railsback passed away on 6 April 2000 while living in Anaheim, California. His accomplishments and service to the food industry are many and he will always be remembered fondly by his friends and co-workers.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Find A Grave.

   William Thomas Railsback
   
   Birth: Jul. 13, 1912
   Death: Apr. 6, 2000
   
   http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=90160356&ref=acom

2.   Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index: Death Master File, database. (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service).

   Social Security Death Index
   Name: William Railsback
   SSN: 459-18-7059
   Last Residence: 92805 Anaheim, Orange, California, USA
   BORN: 13 Jul 1912
   Died: 6 Apr 2000
   State (Year) SSN issued: Texas (Before 1951)

3.   United States. 1920 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T625).

   1920 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   Name: William T Railsback
   Age: 7
   Birth Year: abt 1913
   Birthplace: Oklahoma
   Home in 1920: El Reno Ward 2, Canadian, Oklahoma
   Street: W Russell
   Race: White
   Gender: Male
   Relation to Head of House: Son
   Marital Status: Single
   Father's Name: D D Railsback
   Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
   Mother's name: Ella M Railsback
   Mother's Birthplace: Kansas
   Occupation: None
   Attended School: Yes
   Household Members: Name Age
   D D Railsback 50
   Ella M Railsback 43
   Hazel E Railsback 19
   Harold D Railsback 17
   Hellen L Railsback 15
   Gertrude M Railsback 12
   William T Railsback 7

4.   United States. 1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T627).

   1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   Name: William T Railsback
   Age: 27
   Estimated Birth Year: abt 1913
   Gender: Male
   Race: White
   Birthplace: Oklahoma
   Marital Status: Married
   Relation to Head of House: Head
   Home in 1940: Downey, Los Angeles, California
   Street: Arkansas
   House Number: 953 1/2
   Farm: No
   Inferred Residence in 1935: El Reno, Yellow Medicine, Oklahoma
   Residence in 1935: El Reno, Yellow Medicine, Oklahoma
   Resident on farm in 1935: No
   Sheet Number: 1B
   Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 33
   Occupation: Cashier
   House Owned or Rented: Rented
   Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 23
   Attended School or College: No
   Highest Grade Completed: College, 3rd year
   Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 65
   Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
   Weeks Worked in 1939: 50
   Income: 1040
   Income Other Sources: No
   Household Members: Name Age
   William T Railsback 27
   Mary Evelyn Railsback 19