My Descending from Gov. - D. A. Sharpe

Register Report for William Bradford
Generation 9
Graham. Most folks know him today as the world-wide known Evangelist Billy Graham. So,
it was our privilege to meet Rev. Graham upon occasion, him being my boss's brother-in-law.
God's hand in our lives knows so much more that our plans are, and I rejoice in His
provision for our family at that time.
My first assignment was the position of Business Manager for HighlandPark Presbyterian
Church, Dallas, Texas, on October 1, 1982. In 1996,my assignment became Director of
Stewardship and Support Services for Highland Park Church. In 2001, my assignment
assumed the position of Executive Administrator for the Senior Pastor, who then was the
Rev.Dr. Ronald (Ron) W. Scates.
I have been an active member, both of the local and national organizations, of the National
Association of Church BusinessAdministration, including having served as President of the
Dallas Chapter in 1990 and in 2001-2002. I was an active member of thePresbyterian
Church Administrators Association. I served for four years in the 1990's on the planning
team of the Renewal Conference atMo Ranch, sponsored by the Synod of the Sun and
was its 1994 director. I served as Moderator of the Resource Network Committee of Grace
Presbytery, and was a member of the Grace Presbytery Council and did a few other
Presbytery tasks.
My hobby is genealogical research. My memberships include the Sons of the American
Revolution, served as Editor of the Dallas chapter's monthly journal, served one year as its
secretary (1989-90 term), and am a life member of the Dallas Genealogical Society, since
1988. I have published articles in several genealogical publications. I also am a member of
the Chapman Family Association, the Boggess FamilyAssociation, the Wise County (Texas)
Historical Society, the NoxubeeCounty (Mississippi) Historical Society and the Sharp Family
Association.
Perhaps my most appreciated membership was to join that proud elite of Texans known as
the Sons of the Republic of Texas on October 27, 2005. To qualify in it, you must
document that your ancestor was a citizen of the Republic of Texas, which existed from
April, 1836 through February 19, 1846. My great, great grandfather, through a series of
maternal connections, is my lineal ancestor who qualified me for this distinction. He was
Judge Felix Benedict Dixon, an Ohio-born man who took an immigration oath to become a
citizen of Texas in May of 1841,purchased 1,000 acres of land there in 1842, ran for and
was elected to the office of County Surveyor for San Augustine County, Texas in1844 and
had a marriage certificate issued in January of 1846. Four documentations were
developed, when only one was necessary!
Another outside interest has found me on the stage. All the world isa stage, as I believe
Shakespeare proclaimed. Highland ParkPresbyterian Church Music Department produced
various Broadway musical type of productions over 1980's and the 1990's. It was my
privilege and honor to have minor speaking roles in the following productions: "The
Unsinkable Molly Brown," "The Sound of Music (twice)," "Fiddler on the Roof," "My Fair
Lady" and "Hello Dolly." Usually at least one of my children joined me with roles of singing
and dancing. In fact,all five members of our family were on the stage with "Fiddler on
theRoof." It may have been broken by now, but for a few years after that1989 production,
we were the only family unit at the church that had all members at once in an HPPC
Musicals cast.
For many years, I was a Precinct Chairman in our neighborhood near the church for the
Dallas County Republican Party, and had service on theExecutive Committee of the County
Republican organization. Suzanne served, on the successful campaign committees in 1993
and 1994 forSenator Kay Bailey Hutchison and we both attended her Senate swearing-in
ceremonies at the Capitol in Washington, D. C. on June 14, 1993.
At Senator Hutchison's first election victory party, many happy voters awaited the
Hutchison's arrival. The large reception hall had no chairs, so many of the people crossed
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