Willis E. Wilsey ( 12/24/1932 - 12/5/1955

WILSEY, LEATON

Posted By: Thomas E. Moss ( Nephew ) (email)
Date: 12/7/2006 at 23:50:50

THE DAVENPORT TIMES
DECEMBER 5 1955

AUTO - SEMI-TRUCK CRASH KILLS DAVENPORT MAN:

Willis E. Wilsey, 22, who resided with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Wilsey, 1005 W. 3rd St; Davenport was killed at 6 a.m. today in an auto-truck accident seven miles east of Routes 30 and 88 near Rock Falls, Ill.
Albert Edwards, driver of a semi-truck, told Lee County Coroner Robert Preston that the car driven by Wilsey made a sharp turn into the path of his truck, The car was badly demolished, he said.
According to Coroner Preston, Wilsey suffered a fractured neck, multiple head injuries and a broken arm and leg, and that death was instantaneous.

ON THE WAY HOME:
According to relatives, Wilsey was returning from Ohio where he had picked up a car that had broken down several months ago on a previous trip. He was employed by the Times Cafeteria in Davenport the last two weeks and previously was employed in Washington D.C. as a typist, in the White House, returning to Davenport six weeks ago. He was born Dec. 12, 1932 in Davenport, where he attended public schools and
St. Ambrose College. He was a veteran of the Navy, having served in the Korean War.
He was of Lutheran faith.
Surviving are his parents; six sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Emmer, Mrs. Cynthia Mae Rodenberg, Mrs.Geraldine Bailey, Mrs. Betty Van Buskirk and Florence and Mazine Wilsey all of Davenport and a brother, Clyde, in the Navy, The body was taken to the Burkley Staples Funeral Home in Dixon, and will be sent to Davenport late tonight, Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Runge Chapel, Burial will be in the National Cemetery on Rock Island Arsenal.