In 1989, Bonnie’ s husband suffered his first heart attack and life on the farm changed. In 1995, all the cattle were sold and Bonnie’ s role was now a full time care taker. Junior received a heart transplant in 1998. With her vigilant care and prayers, she has been blessed with 14 more years with her best friend. She and Junior have one daughter, Lisa, and two sons, Alan & Jeff.
William“ Bill” Ingram grew up on the family dairy farm near Sistersville, in Tyler County West Virginia. The original acreage was purchased by his grandfather, William J. Tracy, in 1893. His grandfather built the existing barn in 1904. Bill’ s father continued the farming tradition, and in 1961, Bill and his late wife, Joanne, bought the farm, which has now grown to a total 325 acres.
Bill and his late wife have been members of the Pursley Church of Christ for more than fifty years. He and Joanne raised four children. Joanne worked fulltime as a registered nurse and for many years worked night shift at Sistersville General Hospital because this allowed her the time required for farm and family. Bill saw dramatic changes in the dairy
milk production process and equipment over the years. During these years, Bill increased the dairy herd size to 40 head and converted to a totally Holstein herd. An additional silo was constructed in the early 1960s. In 1961, the farm converted to a bulk tank process for milk storage. In 1968, a glass pipeline milker was installed.
In 1977, the dairy was discontinued. Bill concentrated on raising corn and began raising beef cattle. Leasing property from Union Carbide, he raised corn on a total of 150 acres.
About twelve years ago, Bill sold his beef cattle and is now semi-retired. Currently, he rents his pasture land for beef cattle grazing, and maintains fence on 125 acres of pasture land. With the help of family he continues to put up 75 acres of hay annually, which is sold to regular customers for use by a variety of livestock.
Bill’ s resumé of community involvement is too long to fully list, but includes: 50 + years of Farm
see Winners, page 15
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 9