In 1886, still unable to curb his yearning to travel, Colonel Savoy went to New Mexico and purchase an interest in a silver mine. Two years later he returned, a broken man–never told what had happened there. A few months after his return, he went to West Texas and homesteaded 2300 acres of land near Eastland, as well as claimed 640 acres in the middle of what later became the Ranger Oil Field. Because of depleted finances, he was unable to hold these claims against back taxes, prior claims, and faulty deeds. Up to the year of his death, he fought fiercely to recoup his fortunes. He developed cancer of the stomach and died in 1889, in Joshua, (Johnson County) Texas.¹

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“Mr. William Savoy, father of the town of Savoy, died last night at the residence of Mr. Benjamin of fever. He was a man of considerable money and made a business of sharing vendors’ notes and of advancing money on real estate. He holds deeds of trust and warrantee deeds on considerable property. His remains will be sent to Savoy for interment.” ²