Williams Twins

Taken in the 1936-37 school year, this portrait of Leslie Junior High School students included future governor and senator Mark Hatfield, as well as an unexpected surprise for research staff. Can you spot the pair of identical twins?

The twins were Leland and Leonard Williams and though their time in Salem was relatively brief, they left a memorable impression.

Leland Doyle and twin brother Leonard Howard were born March 16, 1921 in Independence, Kansas to James Levi and Elva Mae [Fluellen] Williams. They were the oldest of seven children born to the couple. Their father James was a veteran of World War I who worked as a laborer in an auto garage.

In 1936 the family moved to Salem, OR where they rented a house at 910 S. 13^th St. and father Jim found work as a porter for the O.K. Barber shop.

The twins were 15 years old and students at Leslie Junior High. Their mother Elva was a popular speaker with women’s church and service groups, giving speeches on racial understanding and highlighting the outstanding people of her race.

The twins attended Salem High School in 1937. Leland served on the sophomore class council and both of them joined the boxing and track teams. Despite a smaller track turnout that year, Coach Vern Gilmore assembled a winning team, made up mostly of sophomores and juniors. The track team placed in two events at the Annual Hill Military Academy relays.

In 1938, the family moved to 463 Commercial St. Father Jim became the owner of an auto laundry business at 544 Ferry St., next door to the Salem Service Station. The twins continued attending Salem High School during their junior year, where they joined the Hi-Y Club, Harrison Elliot Chapter service club, and still ran track for Coach Gilmore. Their achievements were noted in the yearbook, with Leonard Williams excelling in the 100 and 220 meter events, and Leland Williams standing out in the 440 meter race. They had wins at the Hill and Hayward relays, and victories over Chemawa, Milwaukie, and McMinnville.

During their senior year in 1939-40, the twins were members of the successful Viking track team. Leland ran the 440-yard dash, Leonard participated in the 220 and relay. The team achieved top honors in several competitions and Coach Gilmore set high expectations for the squad. In addition to sports, the twins were active in the Hi-Y club, participating in various events such as conferences, banquets, rallies, and trips. Leland also served on the carnival committee of the high school Civics Club, which aimed to improve connections between different clubs in school through the annual carnival and stage show, field trips, and a spring picnic. They also held down part-time jobs, Leland at a shoe parlor, shining shoes and Leonard for their father at the auto laundry. The twins graduated from Salem High School on 29 May 1940 in a class of 492 students.

After graduation, Leland and Leonard enrolled in Willamette University. Their enrollment and plans to enter law school were featured in the Oregon Statesman newspaper on May 21, 1941. The article also mentioned that the twins were 20 years old and members of the track squad. Their experiences at Willamette were documented in the Wallulah yearbook, which included individual portraits in the freshman section and their participation in activities such as intramural ping pong and the basketball B league. Additionally, they joined the W club and were inducted into the Willamette Anthropological Society. Notably, the twins also played for the Bearcat Aces in the intra-mural ping pong league, where they reached the quarter-finals in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles. Leland partnered with Jan Johnson, and Leonard partnered with Suzzanne Wilson. A photo of the champions of the exhibition was featured in the yearbook.

For their twentieth birthday, their parents held a dinner for family and friends. The local newspaper reported on the occasion.

In 1942, major changes occurred in the lives of the Williams twins. Their father sold his auto laundry business and the family relocated to Portland. With the advent of World War 2, both twins registered for the draft and joined the military. The twins draft cards give a unique opportunity to note the compare and contrast the physical differences between them. Leland was slightly taller at 5 ft. 9 in., while Leonard was an inch shorter. Leland weighed 158 lbs., while Leonard was a few pounds lighter at 155. In terms of physical characteristics, Leland had a double tooth on the right side of his upper teeth, while Leonard had scars on his forehead and middle finger of his right hand. Both twins resided at 81 NE Cherry Ct. in Portland and listed their mother, Elva, as their contact person. Leland registered first on February 16, 1942, followed by Leonard on April 3, 1942. During World War II, they served alongside their younger brother, Jimmy, with Leonard in the Navy and Leland and Jimmy in the Army.

The twins also married in 1842. Leland married Frances Lou Slow on June 5, 1942 in Vancouver, WA. He was 21 years old and worked in a shipyard, while Frances was 19 and from Stanfield, OR. They had a son named Doyle Leon born in 1943. They would later divorce in 1945 after Leland was discharged from the Army. Leonard married Marian G. Greyson on October 14, 1942 in Vancouver, WA. He worked as a longshoreman, while Marian was 19 and from Portland. They did not have any children and would divorce in 1952.

According to military records, Leland served from 1942-1945. The Oregon Statesman newspaper reported the following in July 1945:

S/Sgt. [staff sergeant] Leland D. Williams, of Portland, Ore. Is the supply sergeant for the 2028^th quartermaster truck company located inside Germany. He has been with this colored unit since Hensley Field, Texas, basic training in October 1942. Overseas, this unit has ferried thousands of tons of bombs, munitions, gasoline, and supplies for the Ninth Air Force. Sergeant Williams has been instrumental in keeping his convoys running by constantly assuring a flow of vital supplies.

Son of Mrs. Elva M. Williams, 76 NE Holliday St., Portland, Sergeant Williams entered the service in October, 1942. Prior to that time he was a student at Willamette University, Salem. His wife, Mrs. Frances Lou Williams, and their 2-year-old son reside at 76 NE Holliday St., Portland.

Twin Leonard reported for duty at the Naval Training Center at Norfolk, Virginia in June 1945 to train for duties aboard a new destroyer of the Atlantic fleet.

Following the war, both brothers returned to Portland. On July 28, 1945 Leland married Artie Mae Hamilton. It was the second marriage for both. Leland, 25 years old was working as a bartender while Artie Mae, age 28 worked as a beautician and lived in Vanport. In the 1950 census we find them living with Leland’s son Doyle from his first marriage along with five lodgers at 1718 Benton St. Brother Leonard and wife Marion lived in the same neighborhood and boarded with another couple in a home owned by Carrie E. Williams. Leonard worked as a plasterer in building construction. In 1952, Leonard divorced and moved in with his brother Leland and wife Artie.

Both brothers passed away in 1982 in Portland, OR. Leland on June 2, 1982 and Leonard four months later on October 10, 1982. Leland’s obituary mentioned that he had been a resident of Portland for 47 years, was a World War II veteran, retired clerk with the U.S. Postal Serice and member of the Royal Esquire Club. He was buried in Willamette National Cemetery. At the time of this research, no obituary could be located for Leonard, only a death notice. He was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

References:

Census Records 

• Kansas. Montgomery County. 1925 state census, population schedule. Ancestry.com 
• Kansas. Montgomery County. 1930 federal census, population schedule. Ancestry.com 
• Oregon. Marion County. 1940 federal census, population schedule. Ancestry.com 
• Oregon. Multnomah County. 1950 federal census, population schedule. Ancestry.com 

 City Directories 

• R.L. Polk & Company, compiler. Polk’s Salem City and Marion County (Oregon) Directory. 1936-1942. Ancestry.com 
• R.L. Polk & Company, compiler. Polk’s Portland City and Multnomah County (Oregon) Directory. 1953, 1958. Ancestry.com.   

 Vital Records 

• Washington. Clark County. Marriage Statistics-Leland D. Williams 1942. FamilySearch.org 
• Oregon. Multnomah County Marriage Return-Leland D. Williams 1946. FamilySearch.org 

 Yearbooks    

• Clarion yearbook, Salem High School, Salem, OR. 1938-1940. Willamette Heritage Center collection. 
• Wallulah yearbook, Willamette University, Salem, OR. 1940-1942. Willamette University Digital Collections 

Newspapers 

• Mrs. James L. Williams,  Speech on Outstanding People of Her Race to First Christian Church, Woman’s Missionary Society, Capital Journal, Salem, OR, 7 Nov 1936, p. 5 
• “Women of Methodist Church to Meet [Mrs. James Williams, talk on Racial Understanding],” Oregon Statesman, Salem, OR, 9 Feb 1937, p. 6 
• “Gloomy Gus Grins,” Oregon Statesman, Salem, OR, 26 May 1939, p. 21 
• “Portland YMCA Takes Contests” [Williams twins, table tennis] Oregon Statesman, Salem, OR, 24 Oct 1939, p. 1 
• “Salem High to Graduate 492 Students, May 29 Exercises,” Oregon Statesman, Salem, OR, 16 May 1940, p. 7 
• “We Have 5 Pairs Campus, Has Own Who’s Who,” Collegian, Willamette University student paper, Salem, OR, 20 Sep 1940, p. 1 
• “Mural Sports [table tennis league],” Collegian, Willamette University student paper, Salem, OR, 1 Nov 1940, p. 4 
• “Anthropologists Initiate Sixteen,” Collegian, Willamette University student paper, Salem, OR, 31 Jan 1941, p. 1 
• “Twenty Thinclads Answer Track Call,” Collegian, Willamette University student paper, Salem, OR, 14 Feb 1941, p. 3 
• “Eight Students Survive in City Table Meet,” Collegian, Willamette University student paper, Salem, OR, 28 Feb 1941, p. 4 
• “Frosh Brighten Track Outlook at Willamette,” Oregon Statesman, Salem, OR, 5 Mar 1941, p. 9 
• “Twin Sons Are Honored Recently,” Capital Journal, Salem, OR, 19 Mar 1941, p. 5 
• “Bearcat Track Prospects Brightest In Many Years According to Coach Maple,” Collegian, Willamette University student paper, Salem, OR, 4 Apr 1941, p. 4 
• “Cat Cindermen Set for Meet,” Oregon Statesman, Salem, OR, 11 Apr 1941, p. 15 
• “WU Swamps Linfield 83-48 For Third Cinder Victory,” Collegian, Willamette University student paper, Salem, OR, 2 May 1941, p. 4 
• “Twins Puzzle University,” Oregon Statesman, Salem, OR, 21 May 1941, p. 1-2 
• “W Club Makes Plans at Dinner Party,” Collegian, Willamette University student paper, Salem, OR, 7 Nov 1941, p. 4 
• “Five Hoopers on a Team? “Supermen” Only Use Four,” Collegian, Willamette University student paper, Salem, OR, 16 Jan 1942, p. 6 
• Leonard Williams, Reports to Naval Training Center, Capital Journal, Salem, OR, 5 Jun 1945, p. 12 
• “Leland D. Williams Serving in Germany,” Oregon Statesman, Salem, OR, 17 Jul 1945, p. 10 
• Obituary, Leland Williams, The Oregonian, Portland, OR, 8 June 1982, p. 49