Walraven Family
10 linear feet of documents; over 700 monographs; photographs
A1986-006; A1998-005; A2015-035
1890-1945 (unknown)
Bill Walraven was born July 1, 1925 in Dallas, shortly before the death of his father. He spent his early years in Kingsville before going to live and attend school at the Masonic Home in Fort Worth. He served in World War II on a PT boat in the Pacific and afterward returned to Kingsville, working at the Celanese plant that had just opened near Bishop. Before long, he decided to take up engineering at what was then Texas A&I University. However, his engineering drawing book mysteriously disappeared, and he soon discovered that he was much stronger in English than in Math. He graduated in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism and a minor in history. While there he met and soon married Marjorie Kathryn Yeager, or Ricky, as she was known at A&I. And so began their almost 65-year partnership in journalism, writing, and publishing. Bill began his career at the Caller-Times covering the oil desk, police beat, and other assignments until he got his dream job — writing a personal column five days a week. He was a columnist for 15 years, writing about anything and just about everything that came to his mind or that he observed. The job also provided an outlet for his interest in local and Texas history. Marjorie was born November 5, 1929, in San Antonio. She graduated from A&I with a bachelor’s in journalism in 1950 and a master’s in history in 1966. She spent 29 years teaching at Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, at first teaching English, history, and yearbook and then moving to journalism, newspaper, and yearbook. For much of that time, she also worked as a copy editor for the Caller-Times . Upon retirement, the Walravens began their second careers as authors, editors, and publishers. Their books showcased humor (Real Texans Don’t Drink Scotch with Their Dr. Pepper), the wit and wisdom of Will Rogers (All I Know is What’s on TV), Corpus Christi (Gift of the Wind: The Corpus Christi Bayfront, El Rincon: A History of Corpus Christi Beach), World War II (The General Said “Nuts”), and of course, Texas history (The Magnificent Barbarians, Empresarios’ Children, and Wooden Rigs, Iron Men). Their history books were written to engage readers with a journalistic take on historic events. They published many of their books through their own company, Javelina Press. Bill and Marjorie had three children, Valerie, Wilson, and Joe. Bill died in December 2013 and was recognized as a distinguished alumnus by Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2014. Marjorie Walraven accepted the honor on her husband’s behalf. After residing in Corpus Christi for 66 years, she now lives in Dallas.
The Walraven Collection contains an extensive assortment of works by and about Will Rogers, Bill’s personal hero. It also contains a large number of books on the Texas Revolution, biographies of famous Texans, and historical accounts of Corpus Christi, the Coastal Bend, and South Texas. Many of the more contemporary works are signed or inscribed by the author, reflecting the Walraven’s special relationship to other writers. The Collection includes many works on U.S. History, with a particular focus on the Civil War and U.S. western expansion. Also included are Bill’s newspaper columns, his speeches and talks to various civic organizations, and research notes with particular focus on John Walker Baylor, a young man who fought in every major battle of the Texas Revolution and was perhaps the fightingest Texian of them all.
The collection has 10 Series: Series I: Bill Walraven’s Corpus Christi Caller Times Columns Series II: Manuscripts Series III: Screenplays Series IV: Speeches Series V: Correspondence Series VI: Research for Publications Series VII: Photos Series VIII: Art & Maps Series IX: Books Sub-Series: Walraven’s Publications Sub-Series: Texas History Publications Sub-Series: U.S. History Publications Series X: Journals
South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Open for Research
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.
Bill and Marjorie Walraven Family Collection, A2019-016.XXXX - South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
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The Bill and Marjorie Walraven Family Collection was a gift to South Texas Archives by Marjorie Walraven.
The Walraven collection was processed by Lori Atkins, Carmen Martinez, and Matt Tallant. Joe Walraven wrote the abstract, historical note, and scope and content for the finding aid. Lori Atkins supplied the other text. Daniel Thacker created the EAD and uploaded the digital files to the South Texas Archives website.