Black History Month Banner Program Honoree: Robert “William” Paul
Robert “William” Paul, or Mr. Paul as most knew him, was born August 1916 in Walton County to Alexander and Lucy Paul. Mr. Paul worked as an orderly at the historic Lakeside Hospital, located on the corner of Live Oak Avenue and Circle Drive, and Florala Memorial Hospital. Although his job often expanded to include nurse, caretaker, assistant, and friend. Mr. Paul later became self-employed as the owner of Walton County Janitorial Service. Short of the city marshal, Mr. Paul was likely the only man in the history of DeFuniak Springs to hold keys to most of the banks, and many of the businesses. Mr. Paul was devoted to his wife, Ruby Lee Page Paul. He had five children; son, Robert, and daughters Vernell, Lucy, and Glenda. A dedicated servant to his Lord and Savior, Mr. Paul was a former member of Greater St. Joseph A.M.E. Church, and lastly a member of Park Street Church of God in Christ. “Mr. Paul is one of those men, who no matter where you mention his name, someone has a good story about him.”
Mr. Paul passed in February 2011.
