William Boyce Williams (1922 - 2011)

Born 19 Feb 1922 in Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, United States

Died 15 Feb 2011 at age 88 in Wood River, Madison, Illinois, United States

Space:New London, Texas, School Explosion

Biography

William Williams was awarded the Purple Heart.

William Williams was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.

was born in Louisiana

William was in his last class of the day, study hall, at school in Arp, Texas (which is about 8 miles from New London, Texas) when he felt the floor of his classroom vibrate. His teacher said it was probably an explosion from the nearby oil refineries. After getting home, his father told him the New London school had exploded. William and his little sister, Vera, went to the disaster site with their father to see if they could help with the rescue efforts.

William said: "We were not prepared emotionally for what we encountered there. It is a scene I've never forgotten. We went to the least crowded area, in fact no one was in that section at the time. Several people were concentrated in one area. Under the rubble we could see someone's arm up to the elbow. In futility, we tried to lift the concrete slab but it was too heavy. In a very short while someone with a crane and cable came over to assist. While the crane operator moved the slab we, as gently as possible, pulled the body of a young man my age from under the debris. By this time the area was pretty much filled with rescue workers. Pulling the body from under the slab and witnessing was devastating. An announcement was made that everyone not on a rescue team was to leave the immediate area so as not to hamper rescue efforts. I remember trying to help comfort some people, but it was overwhelming. The last thing I remember on our way back home in silence was passing a 36 Chevy under a huge concrete slab."

Obituary

William B. Williams, 88, passed away at 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at VIP Manor in Wood River. He was born Feb. 19, 1922 in Shreveport, La. to C.P. and Wilma (Scott) Williams. The U.S. Army Air Force veteran served as a Staff Sergeant during World War II. He was a ball turret gunner on a B24, was a Prisoner of War, and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He was a member of Alton VFW Post 1308.

He married Nadine B. Williams July 30, 1943 in East Alton. She survives. He retired in 1981 after 32 years as an operator for Shell Oil.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jerry and Judy Williams of Alton and Terry Williams of Swansea; three grandchildren, Julie Tushkowski and her husband Ian, and Tom and Mike Williams; three great grandchildren, Katie Bennett, Tomi Bennett and Jordan Williams; and a sister, Vera Pryor of Warrenton, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

There will be no visitation, and services will be private with burial at Wanda Cemetery in South Roxana. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences at www.paynicfh.com

Sources

• 1930, 1940 US census

• U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100962686

• https://www.riverbender.com/obits/details/william-b-williams-hartford-obituary-5816.cfm

• http://nlsd.net/Recollections17.htm#Williams

• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_London_School_explosion

• http://nlsd.net/Cenotaph.htm

• https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/artifacts/1936-london-school-yearbook