Feb17, 2022 THROW BACK THURSDAY - THIRD PART OF BILL HAYES SAGA PLUS CLASS NEWS

This is the third installment of a story which was had its roots in the Heights area of Little Rock in the mid-20th century.
The Congressional - Part 3
Bill Hayes and the President’s Daughter
President Lyndon Johnson, when asked if his two daughters will ever be able to live independent lives of their own, unintentionally insulted both daughters by describing Lynda as being “so smart that she will be able to make a living for herself,” and her younger sister Luci as being “so appealing and feminine that there will always be some man around waiting to make a living for her.” Luci Baines Johnson is a respected businesswoman and philanthropist today; however, in her teen years, she was, like most of us would be, unequipped emotionally to being scrutinized in the public eye and certainly upset by such judgment by her father, the President. She began to embark upon her own path - The press took notice of Luci and more than once referred to the young teen as “rebellious.” Such of her highly publicized actions as converting to Catholicism against the wishes of her parents and announcing her name spelling change from Lucy to Luci were considered by others as healthy assertions of her individuality.
During the year prior to the Kennedy assassination, Luci Baines Johnson met a quiet, handsome, polite young physician’s son from Little Rock, Arkansas named William Graham (Bill) Hayes. According to several of his high school friends, Hayes and Johnson dated while he lived in Washington as a member of perhaps the most prestigious program offered to a high school student in America.
In 1961, while most high school sophomore boys were dreaming about hot cars they would never drive and pretty girls who would never go to the movies with them, Bill Hayes, a sophomore at Little Rock’s Hall High School, was planning his future. He had learned about a prestigious program for high school students to spend a school year in the United States Senate.
Twenty six high school students would be selected from across America to serve in the United States Senate Page Program during the 1962-63 school year. Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright, who had promoted educational grants called the “Fulbright Program” and was Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was one of the most powerful leaders on Capitol Hill. When the respected Hayes family of Little Rock expressed interest in Bill’s appointment to the Senate Page Program, Fulbright learned of his stellar reputation and made certain he would be admitted.
A year on the Senate floor and time with Luci Baines Johnson awaited. The future of William Graham Hayes was building, block by block.... or was it all tumbling down?
episode 4 to follow. “From Page to President”
1956 Class News
Our sympathy to the family of June Clifft who passed away peacefully January 9, 2022, in her home.June lived in Crestview, Florida.
Our sympathy to the family of Gus Kemp, who just passed away this past Tuesday. Gus still lived herein Little Rock.
We are sorry to learn that Patsy Larch had broken one leg, then fell and broke the other one. She has moved from her home into an apartment in Arlington, Texas, with her son and daughter-in-law who are taking care of her.
I heard from Linda McGrew this week. She sends a big HELLO to everyone from sunny Florida!
Also heard from Pat Mullens who is a full-time caregiver to her husband.
Our original LRCHS Swing Band that is now the SWING BAND REUNION will be in concert this eekend,Sunday, February 20, at St. James Methodist Church, Pleasant Valley Drive, 3:00 pm. If you want to enjoy a pleasant hour listening to "GOOD" music, come and join us. If you need more info, let me know.
1955 Class News
Our deepest sympathy to Bill Whitworth who lost his son, William, recently.
Don Ragon's obituary:

Cantonment, FL - Kenneth Don Ragan, Sr. MD,  age 84, of Cantonment, FL, passed away in his home surrounded by his family. Don was born in Hazen, AR to the late Leslie Lawrence and Sarah Webb Ragan. Ragan, Sr. MD, age 84, of Cantonment, FL, passed away in his home surrounded by his family. Don was born in Hazen, AR to the late Leslie Lawrence and Sarah Webb Ragan.

Don was a loving husband, father, and stepfather. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1963, Doctor of Medicine. He served his patients as a Physician, a Physiatrist and Addictionologist. He was very loved and respected by his colleagues and his patients alike. Don also proudly served his country in the US Air Force. He loved animals and was always feeding stray cats in the neighborhood, he even started one of the first programs introducing animals into nursing homes.

Those left to cherish his memory include, his loving wife, Joyce E. Ragan; his children, Kenneth Ragan, Jr., Laura Ragan (Brogan), and Scott Ragan; stepdaughters, Teona Edes and Regina Mason.

A funeral service will be held to honor the life of Don at 11:00am on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Dr. Mike Davis, officiating. Committal service will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.

ML