William L. Sarver Sr.
Cite this Page
"William L. Sarver Sr.," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/918.
- Position
- Houseman
- Years in President's House
- 1939 – 1956
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- William Lee Sarver Sr. was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 24, 1912. (1) As a young man, he worked as a bootblack (someone who polishes boots) in an Indianapolis shoe shining parlor, but later relocated to Washington, D.C. In 1939, he became a houseman at the White House. (2) This role entailed cleaning, moving furniture, and assisting with other general household maintenance. President Franklin D. Roosevelt kept many figurines and tchotchkes on his desk, and White House Maid Lillian Rogers Parks recalled “Only two people knew exactly where FDR wanted each one of them– Sarver and Cesar [Carrera], houseman and valet.” (3) He continued working at the White House for presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, then retired in 1956 due to ill health. (4) After retiring Sarver returned to Indiana, and passed away on July 23, 1961. He was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. (5)
- (1) William Lee Sarver in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 201, Ancestry.com,
(2) William Sarver in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0310; FHL microfilm: 2340342, Ancestry.com; William Server in the 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: m-t0627-00553; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 1-15, Ancestry.com; “W. L. Sarver Dies; Ex-Valet at White House,” Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana), July 25, 1961, 15.
(3) Lillian Rogers Parks, It Was Fun Working at the White House (Fleet Press Corps, 1969), pg. 128.
(4) White House Staff Christmas Gift List of Bess W. Truman, 1946, Christmas Lists Subject File, Bess W. Truman Papers, Harry S. Truman Library, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/139308529; "Roster of White House Employees, Revised, April 1, 1944," Folder: Investigative Case Files, 1934-1945, Records of the United States Secret Service, 1933-1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York; “W. L. Sarver Dies; Ex-Valet at White House,” Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana), July 25, 1961, 15.
(5) William Lee Sarver Sr in the Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017, Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011; Year: 1961; Roll: 11, Ancestry.com. - Birthplace
- Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Related Workers
- Cesar CarreraHousekeeping and Laundry, circa 1939 – 1944
- Lillian Rogers ParksHousekeeping and Laundry, 1929 – 1960