The Wellington Leader May 21, 1964
Bura O. Handley, who planned and built so much that is permanent of Wellington's municipal improvements during the forty years he was the city manager, died in St. Joseph's Hospital at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 15. He suffered a heart attack late Wednesday night. He had not been ill and had worked all day Wednesday. Mr. Handley was 65.
His associate with the city began in 1920, when he went to work in the light plant. He became water superintendent when the city sold the light plant and in 1924, Bura Handley was named city manager.
Completely dedicated to Wellington and his work for it, he made the job of city manager a place recognized as outstanding among Texas municipalities, in the broad scope of its work and the effectiveness with which it operated.
Many people thought first of his work with the Fire Department. He became a volunteer fireman in 1918 and the next year was elected fire chief. Held this office consecutively except for one year for 35 years. It is to be credited to his leadership that during that time no fireman ever was injured seriously while fighting a fire, although there were several major blazes during the time.
Much of the fire department equipment until recent yeas was designed and built by him.
A near genius in the field of engineering, he had no formal training except his own studies. Yet for its many major projects, the City of Wellington never hired an engineer nor did it ever let contracts on its work.
With foresight, he developed and planned the water works system, designing its reservoirs to meet the city's needs. Wellington has never had a water shortage and none of the problems that face most other Panhandle cities.
Many former council members and mayors who worked with him consider the sewer system he installed to be one of the most difficult of his municipal accomplishments.
For more than 25 years, the number of paved streets in Wellington amazed those from other towns.
This was Bura Handley's continuing program. He designed and buld much equipment for it and city employees carried out the work.
Wellington's community building, still regarded as one of the outstanding municipal buildings of West Texas, came out of the planning and work of Bura Handley, with Mayor Fred LeDerer and Mayor Pink Sullivan during the late 1030's and early 1940's.
Shortly after World War II, the city voted improvement bonds. Bura Handley's original thinking gave Wellington Marian Airpark.
He was one of the first men to recognize the need for water development in the Eastern Panhandle, and he helped to organize the old Greenbelt Water Authority and served as its first secretary.
These were major works for the city. No even those who worked closely with him through the years can remember all the minor things. One recalled as an example that before two-way radios were commonly used, he built and put in operation one for the city.
Turning to another facet of Mr. Handley's rich and productive life, his civic activities were broad and effective.
He was the first president of the Panhandle Fireman's Association and he served Wellington a number of years as a Scoutmaster.
A charter member of the Rotary Club, he was its president in 1946-47. He was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Chapter and Council. As a member of the building committee, the new Masonic building was one of his last pieces of work.
Also devoted in his religious life, Mr. Handley was a member of First Baptist Church and sang in its choir.
As a token of its recognition of Bura Handley's work for Wellington, the Chamber of Commerce in 1962 named him Citizen of the Year.
The Texas League of Municipalities last year gave him special recognition at its annual meeting. Throughout the Southwest, his tenure as forty years a city manager was unequaled.
Bura Handley was born October 11, 1898 at Lockhart, the son of Mrs. D. H. Handley and the late Mr. Handley. He came here with other members of his family in 1916.
He was married to Miss Lila Hollis December 24, 1928. She preceded him in death July 9, 1958.
On August 13, 1961, Mr. Handley was married to Mrs. Lottie Brock, who survives.
Mr. Handley is survived by his wife; his son, Capt. Phil Handley, who has just completed duty with the Air Force at Evereux, France; and three step-children: Ted Brock of Wellington, Jim Brock of Amarillo, and Mrs. Leland Bonneau of Plainview.
He is survived also by his mother, Mrs. D. H. Handley of Arlington; four sisters and two brothers: Mrs. Ruby Baldridge and Mrs. Earl Conner of Arlington, Mrs. Vella Mae Thompson of Tulsa, Mrs. John Lee of Alamagordo, NM, B. Handley of Biggs, CA and Jess Handley of Ada, OK.
There are eight grandchildren.
Bura O. Handley, who planned and built so much that is permanent of Wellington's municipal improvements during the forty years he was the city manager, died in St. Joseph's Hospital at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 15. He suffered a heart attack late Wednesday night. He had not been ill and had worked all day Wednesday. Mr. Handley was 65.
His associate with the city began in 1920, when he went to work in the light plant. He became water superintendent when the city sold the light plant and in 1924, Bura Handley was named city manager.
Completely dedicated to Wellington and his work for it, he made the job of city manager a place recognized as outstanding among Texas municipalities, in the broad scope of its work and the effectiveness with which it operated.
Many people thought first of his work with the Fire Department. He became a volunteer fireman in 1918 and the next year was elected fire chief. Held this office consecutively except for one year for 35 years. It is to be credited to his leadership that during that time no fireman ever was injured seriously while fighting a fire, although there were several major blazes during the time.
Much of the fire department equipment until recent yeas was designed and built by him.
A near genius in the field of engineering, he had no formal training except his own studies. Yet for its many major projects, the City of Wellington never hired an engineer nor did it ever let contracts on its work.
With foresight, he developed and planned the water works system, designing its reservoirs to meet the city's needs. Wellington has never had a water shortage and none of the problems that face most other Panhandle cities.
Many former council members and mayors who worked with him consider the sewer system he installed to be one of the most difficult of his municipal accomplishments.
For more than 25 years, the number of paved streets in Wellington amazed those from other towns.
This was Bura Handley's continuing program. He designed and buld much equipment for it and city employees carried out the work.
Wellington's community building, still regarded as one of the outstanding municipal buildings of West Texas, came out of the planning and work of Bura Handley, with Mayor Fred LeDerer and Mayor Pink Sullivan during the late 1030's and early 1940's.
Shortly after World War II, the city voted improvement bonds. Bura Handley's original thinking gave Wellington Marian Airpark.
He was one of the first men to recognize the need for water development in the Eastern Panhandle, and he helped to organize the old Greenbelt Water Authority and served as its first secretary.
These were major works for the city. No even those who worked closely with him through the years can remember all the minor things. One recalled as an example that before two-way radios were commonly used, he built and put in operation one for the city.
Turning to another facet of Mr. Handley's rich and productive life, his civic activities were broad and effective.
He was the first president of the Panhandle Fireman's Association and he served Wellington a number of years as a Scoutmaster.
A charter member of the Rotary Club, he was its president in 1946-47. He was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Chapter and Council. As a member of the building committee, the new Masonic building was one of his last pieces of work.
Also devoted in his religious life, Mr. Handley was a member of First Baptist Church and sang in its choir.
As a token of its recognition of Bura Handley's work for Wellington, the Chamber of Commerce in 1962 named him Citizen of the Year.
The Texas League of Municipalities last year gave him special recognition at its annual meeting. Throughout the Southwest, his tenure as forty years a city manager was unequaled.
Bura Handley was born October 11, 1898 at Lockhart, the son of Mrs. D. H. Handley and the late Mr. Handley. He came here with other members of his family in 1916.
He was married to Miss Lila Hollis December 24, 1928. She preceded him in death July 9, 1958.
On August 13, 1961, Mr. Handley was married to Mrs. Lottie Brock, who survives.
Mr. Handley is survived by his wife; his son, Capt. Phil Handley, who has just completed duty with the Air Force at Evereux, France; and three step-children: Ted Brock of Wellington, Jim Brock of Amarillo, and Mrs. Leland Bonneau of Plainview.
He is survived also by his mother, Mrs. D. H. Handley of Arlington; four sisters and two brothers: Mrs. Ruby Baldridge and Mrs. Earl Conner of Arlington, Mrs. Vella Mae Thompson of Tulsa, Mrs. John Lee of Alamagordo, NM, B. Handley of Biggs, CA and Jess Handley of Ada, OK.
There are eight grandchildren.
The Wellington Leader May 21, 1964
Bura O. Handley, who planned and built so much that is permanent of Wellington's municipal improvements during the forty years he was the city manager, died in St. Joseph's Hospital at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 15. He suffered a heart attack late Wednesday night. He had not been ill and had worked all day Wednesday. Mr. Handley was 65.
His associate with the city began in 1920, when he went to work in the light plant. He became water superintendent when the city sold the light plant and in 1924, Bura Handley was named city manager.
Completely dedicated to Wellington and his work for it, he made the job of city manager a place recognized as outstanding among Texas municipalities, in the broad scope of its work and the effectiveness with which it operated.
Many people thought first of his work with the Fire Department. He became a volunteer fireman in 1918 and the next year was elected fire chief. Held this office consecutively except for one year for 35 years. It is to be credited to his leadership that during that time no fireman ever was injured seriously while fighting a fire, although there were several major blazes during the time.
Much of the fire department equipment until recent yeas was designed and built by him.
A near genius in the field of engineering, he had no formal training except his own studies. Yet for its many major projects, the City of Wellington never hired an engineer nor did it ever let contracts on its work.
With foresight, he developed and planned the water works system, designing its reservoirs to meet the city's needs. Wellington has never had a water shortage and none of the problems that face most other Panhandle cities.
Many former council members and mayors who worked with him consider the sewer system he installed to be one of the most difficult of his municipal accomplishments.
For more than 25 years, the number of paved streets in Wellington amazed those from other towns.
This was Bura Handley's continuing program. He designed and buld much equipment for it and city employees carried out the work.
Wellington's community building, still regarded as one of the outstanding municipal buildings of West Texas, came out of the planning and work of Bura Handley, with Mayor Fred LeDerer and Mayor Pink Sullivan during the late 1030's and early 1940's.
Shortly after World War II, the city voted improvement bonds. Bura Handley's original thinking gave Wellington Marian Airpark.
He was one of the first men to recognize the need for water development in the Eastern Panhandle, and he helped to organize the old Greenbelt Water Authority and served as its first secretary.
These were major works for the city. No even those who worked closely with him through the years can remember all the minor things. One recalled as an example that before two-way radios were commonly used, he built and put in operation one for the city.
Turning to another facet of Mr. Handley's rich and productive life, his civic activities were broad and effective.
He was the first president of the Panhandle Fireman's Association and he served Wellington a number of years as a Scoutmaster.
A charter member of the Rotary Club, he was its president in 1946-47. He was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Chapter and Council. As a member of the building committee, the new Masonic building was one of his last pieces of work.
Also devoted in his religious life, Mr. Handley was a member of First Baptist Church and sang in its choir.
As a token of its recognition of Bura Handley's work for Wellington, the Chamber of Commerce in 1962 named him Citizen of the Year.
The Texas League of Municipalities last year gave him special recognition at its annual meeting. Throughout the Southwest, his tenure as forty years a city manager was unequaled.
Bura Handley was born October 11, 1898 at Lockhart, the son of Mrs. D. H. Handley and the late Mr. Handley. He came here with other members of his family in 1916.
He was married to Miss Lila Hollis December 24, 1928. She preceded him in death July 9, 1958.
On August 13, 1961, Mr. Handley was married to Mrs. Lottie Brock, who survives.
Mr. Handley is survived by his wife; his son, Capt. Phil Handley, who has just completed duty with the Air Force at Evereux, France; and three step-children: Ted Brock of Wellington, Jim Brock of Amarillo, and Mrs. Leland Bonneau of Plainview.
He is survived also by his mother, Mrs. D. H. Handley of Arlington; four sisters and two brothers: Mrs. Ruby Baldridge and Mrs. Earl Conner of Arlington, Mrs. Vella Mae Thompson of Tulsa, Mrs. John Lee of Alamagordo, NM, B. Handley of Biggs, CA and Jess Handley of Ada, OK.
There are eight grandchildren.
Bura O. Handley, who planned and built so much that is permanent of Wellington's municipal improvements during the forty years he was the city manager, died in St. Joseph's Hospital at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 15. He suffered a heart attack late Wednesday night. He had not been ill and had worked all day Wednesday. Mr. Handley was 65.
His associate with the city began in 1920, when he went to work in the light plant. He became water superintendent when the city sold the light plant and in 1924, Bura Handley was named city manager.
Completely dedicated to Wellington and his work for it, he made the job of city manager a place recognized as outstanding among Texas municipalities, in the broad scope of its work and the effectiveness with which it operated.
Many people thought first of his work with the Fire Department. He became a volunteer fireman in 1918 and the next year was elected fire chief. Held this office consecutively except for one year for 35 years. It is to be credited to his leadership that during that time no fireman ever was injured seriously while fighting a fire, although there were several major blazes during the time.
Much of the fire department equipment until recent yeas was designed and built by him.
A near genius in the field of engineering, he had no formal training except his own studies. Yet for its many major projects, the City of Wellington never hired an engineer nor did it ever let contracts on its work.
With foresight, he developed and planned the water works system, designing its reservoirs to meet the city's needs. Wellington has never had a water shortage and none of the problems that face most other Panhandle cities.
Many former council members and mayors who worked with him consider the sewer system he installed to be one of the most difficult of his municipal accomplishments.
For more than 25 years, the number of paved streets in Wellington amazed those from other towns.
This was Bura Handley's continuing program. He designed and buld much equipment for it and city employees carried out the work.
Wellington's community building, still regarded as one of the outstanding municipal buildings of West Texas, came out of the planning and work of Bura Handley, with Mayor Fred LeDerer and Mayor Pink Sullivan during the late 1030's and early 1940's.
Shortly after World War II, the city voted improvement bonds. Bura Handley's original thinking gave Wellington Marian Airpark.
He was one of the first men to recognize the need for water development in the Eastern Panhandle, and he helped to organize the old Greenbelt Water Authority and served as its first secretary.
These were major works for the city. No even those who worked closely with him through the years can remember all the minor things. One recalled as an example that before two-way radios were commonly used, he built and put in operation one for the city.
Turning to another facet of Mr. Handley's rich and productive life, his civic activities were broad and effective.
He was the first president of the Panhandle Fireman's Association and he served Wellington a number of years as a Scoutmaster.
A charter member of the Rotary Club, he was its president in 1946-47. He was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Chapter and Council. As a member of the building committee, the new Masonic building was one of his last pieces of work.
Also devoted in his religious life, Mr. Handley was a member of First Baptist Church and sang in its choir.
As a token of its recognition of Bura Handley's work for Wellington, the Chamber of Commerce in 1962 named him Citizen of the Year.
The Texas League of Municipalities last year gave him special recognition at its annual meeting. Throughout the Southwest, his tenure as forty years a city manager was unequaled.
Bura Handley was born October 11, 1898 at Lockhart, the son of Mrs. D. H. Handley and the late Mr. Handley. He came here with other members of his family in 1916.
He was married to Miss Lila Hollis December 24, 1928. She preceded him in death July 9, 1958.
On August 13, 1961, Mr. Handley was married to Mrs. Lottie Brock, who survives.
Mr. Handley is survived by his wife; his son, Capt. Phil Handley, who has just completed duty with the Air Force at Evereux, France; and three step-children: Ted Brock of Wellington, Jim Brock of Amarillo, and Mrs. Leland Bonneau of Plainview.
He is survived also by his mother, Mrs. D. H. Handley of Arlington; four sisters and two brothers: Mrs. Ruby Baldridge and Mrs. Earl Conner of Arlington, Mrs. Vella Mae Thompson of Tulsa, Mrs. John Lee of Alamagordo, NM, B. Handley of Biggs, CA and Jess Handley of Ada, OK.
There are eight grandchildren.
Gravesite Details
Source: 1976 census
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