Our Neighbors in the Service
Hospers, Iowa - Third Class Petty Officer Willis Helder arrived unexpectedly from New York for a short leave with his mother, Mrs. Dena Helder. Since his enlistment in September he has visited Ireland, North Africa, Iceland and other points. Willis will leave Saturday to report to his ship.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, May 7, 1943
Willis Raymond Helder was born about 1922 to Peter and Dena Grotenhuis Helder. He died May 4, 1945 and is memorialized at the Courts of the Missing, Court 3, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Coxswain Helder served in World War II with the U.S. Navy and was MIA/FOD/KIA and awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com
