Interview with Wilson McMakin, June 29, 1976

Partial Transcript: Um, to begin with, I'd like to get some information on you, if that would be alright.

Segment Synopsis: The interviewer asks for information about McMakin and his educational background. McMakin recounts growing up on a produce farm alongside the dairy farm that Billy Graham grew up on.

Keywords: Companions; Dairy farms; Family; Mischief; Produce farms; Schools

Subjects: Charlotte (N.C.); Childhood of world figures; Children; Discipline.; Families.; Family farms; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Livestock farms; Presbyterian Church.; Religion.

Partial Transcript: What do you remember specifically about Mr. Graham, uh, Billy's father?

Segment Synopsis: McMakin discusses his memories of Graham's parents and how they raised their children. He also recounts a humorous story regarding Graham in his infancy.

Keywords: Businessman; Dedication; Family; Fathers; Mothers

Subjects: Childhood of world figures; Children; Families.; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Modesty.; Motherhood.; Religion.; Respect.; Wealth.

Partial Transcript: Did you, uh, attend the 1934 Ham revival that was held in Charlotte, uh, when Billy Graham was converted?

Segment Synopsis: McMakin recalls Graham's involvement in his church as a young boy, as well as his own participation in church affairs.

Keywords: 1934 Ham Revival; Church affairs; Revival; Young People's Organization

Subjects: Childhood of world figures; Christianity.; Conversion.; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Presbyterian Church; Presbyterian Church (USA)

Partial Transcript: Um, do you remember any of, uh, Billy's closest friends in childhood or as a teenager?

Segment Synopsis: McMakin comments on the influences in Graham's childhood that helped shape him as a person.

Keywords: Albert McMakin; Mischief; Personality

Subjects: Childhood of world figures; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Influences

Partial Transcript: Has Billy Graham changed much since the days that you knew him, uh, as a child?

Segment Synopsis: McMakin discusses Graham's evolution of social skills and qualities as a person, as well as how his conversion influenced this evolution.

Keywords: College; Dynamic; Intelligence; Maturity; Personality; Social situations

Subjects: Conversion; Education & skills; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Religion

Partial Transcript: Um, do you remember a man that worked on, uh, the Graham farm by the name of Reece Brown?

Segment Synopsis: McMakin recalls an African American farmhand of the Grahams' and the race relations in Charlotte, North Carolina. He states that, at the time, race discrimination was not noticed because of the social situations in the community.

Keywords: Black; Manhood; Place; Reece Brown; Servant structure; Strength

Subjects: African American; African American farmers.; Charlotte (N.C.); Childhood of world figures; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Livestock farm; Race discrimination; Race relations

Partial Transcript: Um, what kind of contact have you had with Mr. Graham across the years?

Segment Synopsis: McMakin states his opinions on Graham's work ethic and his development of himself as a businessman.

Keywords: Business affairs; Expenses; Families; Managers; Opinions; Salary

Subjects: Finance.; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Income.; Promoters.; Radio stations.; Wealth.

Partial Transcript: And you say, uh, Billy Graham is a man of, uh, success, but also is a man of hardened devotion to his work.

Segment Synopsis: McMakin discusses the emotional impact Graham's work had on individuals that he met, as well as his ability to make them want to get involved through his dedication to his work.

Keywords: Community; Emotional impact; Evangelists; Involvement

Subjects: Devotion.; Expression.; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Religion; Success.

Partial Transcript: Okay, uh, there are some other questions that occur to me as I, uh, uh, think just a moment.

Segment Synopsis: McMakin discusses his experience with Graham as a family man and talks about Ruth Graham, who he describes as an inspiration.

Keywords: Family; Inspiration; Ruth Graham

Subjects: Devotion; Families.; Fatherhood.; Husbands.; Marriage.; Wives.