RUSSELL, William Lee: Died 1918

RUSSELL

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/4/2016 at 19:00:09

Another Young Soldier gave his life for his Country.

William Lee Russel was born near Abingdon, Jefferson County, Iowa, January 14, 1897. Died October 6, 1918, age 21 years, 8 months, 23 days.

He volunteered in the Navy Department of the United States, June 18, 1918. He was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station; Thence to Hampton Roads, Virginia where he was assigned to the Battleship "Vermont," where he remained in service of the United States until Friday, October 4, when he was transferred to the Hospital ship "Salace," as a patient suffering with Bronchial Pneumonia. He passed away Sunday evening at 5:56 o'clock October 6th. He was in the service of his country three months and eighteen days. From the beginning of our trouble he was eagor(sp) and willing to go. To him :Duty was Beauty."

He was the eldest son of Samuel and Rosa Russell, and leaves to mourn his early departure a heart broken father and mother, one sister and three brothers, besides other relatives and a host of friends. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him. Many letters received by the family attest to the high esteem in which he was held by his comrades in arms and by his mates.

This death has especially saddened our Community as Willie was a young man of much promise and the first of our boys called to make the Supreme Sacrifice. "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his brother." Although Willie was not a member of any church, yet he was converted to the Methodist Faith during the winter of 1917, and has since given evidence he still remained in the Faith.

**Handwritten: Birmingham Enter. 24 Oct. 1918

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 222, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA