Mikel's Thoughts by Mike Virdell

Last week, the passing of Rick Durst was well stated by many. He will be missed, and impossible to replace. His contribution in a short period of time while in Llano County has few peers. His endeavors great, his warm friendship missed, his contribution to our community…forever.

Last week, also, Will Thurman, Jr. passed away at the age of 66. Will came to Llano County from the area of South Austin. Will changed Llano County as much as one individual could in one lifetime. In 1975 Will bought an old ranch out on the Western edge of the City of Llano and did the darndest thing. He surveyed out five acre tracts and sold them to the “unsuspecting.” Will was 35 years old at the time.

In 1975, when word hit the streets of Llano about “5 acre tracts” being sold West of town, the big laugh was “who would buy a five acre tract?”
“ Can’t raise cows on five acres!!!”

Do you suppose vision may have had something to do with this crazy endeavor? Maybe. But Will Thurman was more than that. More than a dreamer. Will was a doer. And while he and his salesman sold thousands of tracts in Texas, and Will made $ millions, his impact was as strong as his bank statement. For the record, his salesmen in Rio Vista, and two years later the development of Rio Llano, were legends. Ken Offer, Bill Gray, Sid Johnson and our own Hobby Halliburton, whom is still selling property and making deals, now with his own company and investment group, and still living in Rio Llano.

What Will did was give people a way to have their own dreams. And what also Will did, was he made it financially possible to have a dream. While most could only dream of having a ranch in Llano County, few would ever climb that mountain. But when Will put tracts on the market for $6,900 and with 10% down, even you and I could afford that dream. For about $700 you could own your own ranch. And today, 30 years later, and with over 700 ranchetts in Rio Llano and Rio Vista, vision has been replaced with reality. Small homes, modular homes, ½ million dollar homes, and just fenced in acreages for enjoyment and recreation. Will Thurman, Jr. was a true dream maker.

A few years later, with an Afro haircut, and enough jewelry that would weigh down an ox cart, Will came to my Dad’s home. He met with M.J. Wootan, Faye Miller, Dan Hoerster, M.J. Stewart, my Dad Corky, and three men from Odessa. And on that evening Llano National Bank went from being a dream to being reality.

I Learned so much from Will, and Sid, and Hobby. And their stories about making real estate dreams come true, left me with wonderful memories.
A few days ago I spoke with Hobby. And with a reverence that I still remember. Speaking of Will Thurman is like talking about a legend yet one man who was so approachable. So much fun. So smart. Stories that cannot be told in front of small children or large pets. Will Thurman may have been about dreams, but he lived the life of a man’s man. And he too, shall never be forgotten.