LEWIS, Billie E. (1932-1951)

LEWIS, CHRISTIE, CLARK, OGREN

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 4/30/2015 at 15:44:23

Brother of Mrs. C. Christie Killed In Korea Oct. 10

CPL. BILLY LEWIS KILLED ON FIELD OF BATTLE

Mrs. Charles Christie Notified Of Brother's Death By Government, Friday

On Friday, Mrs. Chas. Christie, Klemme young lady, received the sad news from the War Department, that her only brother, Corporal Billy Lewis was killed in action in Korea October 10th. No other details were given but she was informed that full details would be sent later.

Corporal Lewis, 19, is Mrs. Christie's only near relative. He enlisted at the age of 17 and was stationed at Fort Ord, California. He attended a special engineering school at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and from there went to Camp Stoneman. He left the States on Good Friday for the Pacific theater and was in Japan shortly before going to the Korean front. Later he was transferred to Eta Jima where he took a special foreman course from which he graduated September 9th and then went back to the Korean battlefront where he was killed in action on October 10th, according to the message received by his sister.

Corporal Lewis was 19 years old on his last birthday, September 30th. Both of his parents are dead and his sister, Mrs. Charles Christie was his next of kin.

source: Klemme Times, 13 Oct 1951, page 1

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Memorial Service Sunday For Corporal Billie Lewis

WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN KOREA OCTOBER 10TH

Services Will Be Held At The Evangelical & Reformed Church In Klemme

Memorial services for Corporal Billie Edgar Lewis, who was killed in action in Korea October 10, 1951, will be held at the Klemme Evangelical and Reformed Church on Sunday afternoon, January 27, 1952 by the Adam-Schaefer Post of the Klemme American Legion. Rev. Vernon Jaberg will deliver the sermon.

Remains Arrived Tuesday

Cpl. Lewis' body escorted by Cpl. Jack E. McDougal. arrived at Mason City Tuesday afternoon. Graveside services will be held Thursday p. m. at Memorial Park Cemetery near Mason City with the Klemme Legion providing casket bearers and firing squad under the direction of Commander Claude White. Rev. Vernon Jaberg will conduct the rites.

Cpl. Billie Lewis, who's only living relative is Mrs. Charles Christie of Klemme, enlisted in the Army in 1949 from Cerro Gordo county at the age of 17. He was first sent to Fort Ord, California, then to an engineering school at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and from there to Camp Stoneman, California.

He left the States in March 1951 for the Pacific theater for Japan and then to Korea. Later he was transferred to Eta Jima for a special foreman course from which he graduated on September 9, 1951. He then returned to the battle front where he was killed in action on October 9th.

The obituary, which was prepared by the Wellemeyer Funeral Service of Klemme, who were in charge of arrangements, appears elsewhere in this issue of The Times.

source: Klemme Times, 23 Jan 1952, page 1

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Obituary of Billie Edgar Lewis, 19

BILLIE EDGAR LEWIS was born September 30, 1932 at Panora, Iowa, the youngest of two children born to his parents, Chance A. Lewis and wife, Hazel Elizabeth, nee Clark.

When Billie was 8 months old his father, who was a Veteran of World War I, died suddenly with a heart attack. Another tragedy occurred when Billie was 7 years old, when his mother died.

The Iowa Soldiers Orphans Home at Davenport then provided a home for Billie and his sister, Charlotte.

A few months later Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ogren, of Kiron, Iowa, noticed the friendly Billie, and asked to take him home with them. The matter was arranged and thus Billie lived with the Ogrens for 9 years. At Kiron he went to school, attended religious instruction, was baptized and became a member, by Confirmation, of the Bethel Lutheran Church at Kiron, Iowa.

At age 16, Billie found employment at the Shell Gas Station in Clear Lake, Iowa. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Army, and on October 10th, 1951 he died in Korea, age 19 years, and 10 days.

He leaves one relative, his sister Charlotte, (Mrs. Charles Christie, Klemme, Iowa) and many friends.

source: Klemme Times, 23 Jan 1952