WILSON, William 1930-1953

WILSON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/1/2016 at 12:01:02

Lt. Wm. Wilson Dies From A Grid Injury

He Received A Head Injury In Football Scrimmage At Ft. Benning, Georgia

Lieut. William Wilson died late Sunday afternoon in a hospital at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Death was the result of a head injury that he received in football practice on the football field at Ft. Benning on Monday of last week. The injury was not regarded as serious until the following day when he suddenly collapsed during another football scrimmage. He was taken to the hospital in an unconscious condition, which it was believed was the result of a blood clot. His two sisters were advised of his serious condition and they left last Wednesday by plane. He was unconscious when his sisters arrived and remained in that state until the end came. The two sisters when they were told by attending physicians that there was no hope for the young man and that there was no chance for him to regain consciousness, returned home by plane.

The body was transported from Ft. Benning by train. It arrived at Marshalltown Tuesday night. Funeral Director Forrest Ferree received the body from the train and brought it to the Ferree Chapel in Grundy Center. A military escort from Ft. Benning accompanied the body. Two men from the army base drove Lieutenant Wilson's car together with his personal effects to Grundy Center.

Funeral Service Thursday
Funeral services will be at the Methodist church in Grundy Center Thursday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. Leroy Bauman will conduct the service. Burial will be in the family lot in the Grundy Center cemetery.

Lieut. William Wilson was born in Grundy Center, Sept. 22, 1930. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Wilson Sr. He grew up in Grundy Center and attended school here. He graduated from the Grundy Center high school with the class of 1948. He entered the State University of Iowa in the fall of 1948. He maintained an interest in military training at the University and he was commissioned as second lieutenant from the ROTC in June 1952. Shortly thereafter he was sent to the airborne base at Ft. Benning, where he served as an instructor. He was also jump-master of the paratroop division of the army.

During his high school years he took an active interest in athletics and was a star on the football team. He was also a member of the school band and vocal groups. He was both popular as a student and among all others who knew him. News of his tragic death came as a shock to this community.

Preceding him in death were his mother in 1942, a sister, Mrs. Marjorie Peterson, in 1946, and his father, William Wilson Sr., in 1948.

Only surviving members of his family are two sisters, Mrs. Harm Kruger, Grundy Center, and Mrs. A. P. Smith, Lancaster, Wisconsin. Since the death of his father he had made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Harm Kruger.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 15 October 1953, pg 1, 6