A Closing Testimony recorded at the time of William’s retirement in 1975.

I express sincere appreciation to my five brothers and five sisters for all they have done for me. They are a continuing source of inspiration and example.

My three sons and four daughters have made my life full and they know how much I enjoy having my family around me.

An outstanding involvement since 1959 has been my activity in the Thomas Tolman Family Organization. I was appointed family representative and genealogist for this family on the Sunday morning of April conference 1959 following the death of my Great Aunt Elmyra Maud Tolman Patterson. We now have on index cards and family group sheets about 750,000 names of ancestors and relatives who are dead. This has been very satisfying to me as my many cousins have gathered once each month to help complete and compile the records. I suppose the greatest miracle is the participation of my two nonmember cousins–Fred Burton and Arlene Kelley Tolman. Fred is my seventh cousin once removed and Arlene is his wife. They have presented to our family over 30,000 family group sheets. I will one day try to compile the 3500 faith promoting genealogy stories which have come into my possession.

The activity that has been most satisfying to me personally is my association with my wife, my sons and daughters, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, in-laws, and relatives. They know that I love them.

I wish for special words to pay tribute to my lovely wife, Opal. She has been so patient, so faithful, and always by my side in times of need. After being honored at our fortieth wedding anniversary by our children, it seems like she is more precious to me as the years go by.

Finally, I leave my witness to brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, grandchildren, and all relatives, that God is in the heavens. He is the Father of our spirits and Jesus Christ is his Only Begotten Son, our Savior and Redeemer. May we keep the covenants we have made with Him.

(Contributed by the Thomas Tolman Family Organization. Excerpt from William Odell Tolman: Patriarch, Genealogist, Teacher compiled by Loraine Tolman Pace, First Edition, 2009, page 515).

Visit FamilySearch to learn more about William Odell Tolman and other ancestors. Also visit the Thomas Tolman Family Organization to find out how you can get more involved in family history.

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