Yeilding inducted into Bell County Historical Commission Hall of Fame
Bell County Historical Commission chair Dan Elder presents a Hall of Fame induction plaque to Donnie Yeilding, widow of Dr. Thomas David Yeilding, a longtime Bell County historian. Looking on are members of the Bell County Commissioners Court. Courtesy photo
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN TEMPLE
A former chair of the Bell County Historical Commission who tirelessly researched and documented the history of the area has been inducted into the Commission’s Hall of Fame.
Dr. Thomas David Yeilding, an educator with a strong desire to serve others, enmeshed himself in Central Texas history and was instrumental in the production of books and literature about the history of Bell County.
Bell County Historical Commission chair Dan Elder, along with County Judge David Blackburn and Bell County Commissioners, present the Hall of Fame dedication plaque to Donnie Yeilding, Dr. Yeilding’s widow, earlier this month.
Dr. Yeilding earned his bachelor and master of arts degrees from Hardin Simmons University, and his doctor of philosophy degree from the University of North Texas. He taught at Dumas High School, Sweetwater High School and Odessa College. He joined the staff of Central Texas College in July 1976 as an administrator.
According to Elder, Dr. Yeilding was an Emeritus member of the Bell County Historical Commission and served as chair of that organization from 1987 to 1991. He also was a past chair of the Bell County Museum board, chair of Bell County’s Sesquicentennial Committee in 1999-2000, and he served on the board of the Salado Historical Society.
He worked with numerous Bell County Historical Commission members to research, compile and document the story of Bell County, including important events, architecture, people and places.
Dr. Yeilding was the editor of Story of Bell County, Texas, a two-volume family history book published in 1988. He also was a member and past president of the Bell County Retired School Employees Association and was an active member and former president of the Temple Rotary Club.
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