In this era of unprecedented access to our genetic information – when, for $100, you can learn what percentage Bulgarian you are – our relationship with our forbearers feels closer than ever. But, as we happily announce the recent births of two Williams Randall babies, we’re reminded of a more old-school method for keeping our heritage alive down the ages: giving our children family names.
Allis Gray Leer
On a Saturday afternoon in late November, the world met Allis Gray Leer. Allis arrived healthy and just a shade under seven pounds. Proud parents Nick and Lindsay Leer (Lindsay is our manager of online services, currently in her tenth year at the agency) gave their first child a doubly grandparent-inspired name. Lindsay’s grandpa, a farmer, mechanic, and all-around handyman whose hobby was fixing up farm machinery, was a huge fan of Allis-Chalmers tractors, and always had at least one of them around. Allis’ middle name comes from the matriarch of Nick’s clan, Bonnie Gray Leer. Mama Lindsay came through just as healthy as Baby Allis, and both families (not to mention Lindsay’s Williams Randall family) were overjoyed by the happy news.
Claire Lenore Parmenter
On the afternoon of Saturday, June 7th (just what is it with these Saturday afternoon Williams Randall babies, anyway?) Claire Lenore Parmenter made her triumphant debut to the delight of all, especially parents Will Parmenter and Ashley VanArsdale Parmenter (Ashley is a senior art director in her sixth year at Williams Randall). As with the Leers, both mama and baby were blessedly healthy upon birth. Claire came into the world a little under eight pounds, with a full head of hair. Besides their Saturday afternoon births, Babies Parmenter and Leer share another similarity: a grandparent name. Ashley’s grandma Janice Lenore Vaughn played a major role in Ashley’s childhood, not just as her grandma, but as her next-door neighbor. No family connections behind Claire’s first name—it’s just a very pretty girl’s name that Will and Ashley liked. And hey: that’s OK …if all babies were given old family names, there’d be a lot more Hezekiahs and Eunices walking around.
The world’s most important natural resource isn’t oil, uranium, platinum, gems or gold. Nope, our most important natural resource is people—living, breathing, thinking, caring, reasoning, loving people. And so it is with particular joy and optimism we announce that the earth became a little bit richer this past year with the births of Allis and Claire. Congratulations to their parents Lindsay, Nick, Ashley and Will on their great good fortune!
