Location
Captain Arthur "Ray" Williams
Years: 1901–1958 | Role: Game Warden | County: Brewster
Topics
Description
Williams was a state game warden and supervisor from the early 1930s through the late 50s. Based in Alpine, he came to oversee wardens from San Angelo to Sanderson, and Pecos to El Paso. He translocated pronghorn from the drought-stricken areas of west Texas, released bighorn sheep to the Black Gap WMA, and argued for closure of the deer season in the area slated for protection as Big Bend National Park. He was also a correspondent with J. Frank Dobie, reporting to the author on the lore and natural history of far west Texas (please see document below).
Location Notes
Considering Williams' efforts to study and restore the bighorn sheep, and contributions to the translocations to Black Gap WMA, perhaps a marker at the WMA's headquarters would be fitting.
Files
- Ray Williams, Notes from the Field, Texas Game and Fish (1943)
- Walter Taylor, Wildlife in the Big Bend, Texas Game and Fish (1944)
- Tom Moore, Immigrant on Trial, Texas Game and Fish (1958)
- Ray Williams and J. Frank Dobie, Correspondence, 25 February 1947 (courtesy of Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin)