Pittman Place in Grandfalls, Texas

Willard and Thelma Pittman purchased 21 acres from longtime county commissiioner Slim Boroughts and wife Jewel in the early 1960's.  the Boroughs had moved a shotgun, four room house onto the acreage, and added a back entry room and a front bedroom, probably in the late 1940's.  A red barn stood to the back of the house and a 'Trap' area was fenced off to the right of the house which ran the length of the acreage from the road to the back fence.  Over the years, Willard built sucker rod, portable pens and a shed for Stacy's horses, and pens to the back of the barn for Stacy's FFA pigs.

 Hay and grass was grown with water coming down from Red Bluff and was irrigated from the ditch that ran the length of the back fence.  The ditch was cleared by Willard using a Maintainer Tractor.  The irrigation was a slow process of opening the ditch at intervals with a shovel and flooding the rows.  When the row was flooded the opening was covered and the next row opened.  It took all day and all night of opening and closing the ditch from the Brandenburg fence line to the Pittman fence line to complete the irrigation.

The Pittman Family lived on the place off and on from the 1960's through the later part of the 1980's.  Stacy was the only Pittman to graduate from Grandfalls-Royalty High School, as his older siblings all graduated from Monahans.  After Willards death in 1988, Thelma decided to stay in Midland, where they had been living.  Pittman Place was sold to Willard and Thelma's oldest daughter and her husband.  Pittman Place became a reunion spot for Thanksgiving Day, Easter Egg Hunts, and Pittman Family get-togethers.

In 1991 Wayne and Sue opened the pasture fence running along the entry road and moved in a house, built a big screened in porch, fenced off an area along side the barn for a garden, renovated the barn and added a shed and pens.  The 'Old House' was used as Pittman Place Pottery and Art Studio.

Willard Carroll Pittman ~ Pittman Place ~ Grandfalls, Texas 1982

~The Pittman Place land was Irrigated out of the same ditch that Willard's father had been 'The Ditch Rider' for Fifty years earlier. 

~In 1994-95 Pittman Place was sold to neighbors, the Brandenburgs. 

Willard Carroll Pittman Tribute

The Family of Willard and Thelma Pittman gathered for Christmas Day at the home of Tommy and Sharon Pittman in Monahans, Texas.  We had a wonderful dinner, presents exchanged and special time visiting and taking pictures.

This is one of the last photos taken of Willard.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer in February 1988.  We all gathered again in Odessa for his 61st Birthday on March 14, 1988.

Willard Carroll Pittman was a man of many facets.  He never met a stranger, and had friends from all walks of life.  He worked and played and lived his life to the fullest.  He loved and respected his wife and raised his children to love and respect her above all others.  His children were his pride and joy and he raised them with a firm, but loving and affectionate hand.  he was proud of and loved his grandchildren and would be pleased as each generation carries on the Pittman Family Traditions.

Willard Carroll Pittman Obituary - Monahans News April 1988

Graveside services for Willard Carroll Pittman, 61, were held Monday in Grandfalls Tamarisk Cemetery by Ferman Kurley.  Mr. Pittman was born March 14, 1927 in Deming, New Mexico to Columbus Chapel and Estella Carroll Pittman.  He died April 1, 1988 in Midland.  He was a Naval World War II Veteran, a Baptist and an oilfield night watchman.

He married Thelma Irene Klemish January 6, 1946 in Yuma, Arizona and she survives him.  He is also survived by five chldren, Mrs. Sue McPeak and Tommy Pittman, both of Monahans, Sonja Pittman, Connie Pittman and Stacy Pittman, all of Midland; a brother MD Pittman of Odessa; three sisters Mrs. Beatrice Sanders of Cartwright, Oklahoma, Mrs. Mae Hutchinson of Corpus Christi and Mrs. Irene Sinks of Tracey, California and eight grandchildren.

Card of Thanks - Monahans News April 1988

The family of Willard Carroll Pittman sincerely thanks and appreciates the love and support given by his many friends and relatives in Grandfalls and Monahans.  Willards unique personality touched many lives during his lifetime in West Texas, and the people of Ward County were very important to him and his family.  Special thanks to the first Baptist Church of Grandfalls, Rev. David Boggs of the Church of Christ in Monahans, Sam Trees of Odessa, to all who sent flowers and food, and to each of you who have called, sent cards and visited our home.  Your thoughtfulness has touched our hears and will be lovingly remembered as special tributes to our very special husband, father and brother.

Sincerely,

Thelma Pittman

Tommy and Sharon Pittman

Sonja, Connie and Stacy Pittman

Sue and Wayne McPeak

MD and Pearl Pittman