WILLIAMS, Delos H., St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue and submitted by Inez Bridges Tate.
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Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives
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From "St. Helena Vets Remember World War II: Personal Interviews
With World War II Vets", published by St. Helena Historical
Association, 1995.  Compiled and edited by Inez Bridges Tate and
reprinted with permission.

     Delos H. Williams was born in Summit, Mississippi and moved

with his family to Liverpool when he was a small boy.  He at-

tended Oakland School.  He worked with a logging operation and

also did odd jobs.  He and Miss Ione Schwartz were married in

Pike County, Mississippi.

     From an article published in the Kentwood Ledger on March

11, 1976 we quote: "Pvt. Williams was inducted into the U.S.

Army in January 1943.  He was stationed at Camp McClain at

Grenada, Mississippi, and served in the 129th Radio Intelligence

Company.  In early 1944 he was sent to England and from there

saw service in France, Luxembourg and Germany.  He was killed 

9 February 1945, near Toule, France, when the jeep he was driving

slipped off an icy bridge near Toule, France.  He was buried in

a military cemetery in France and his remains were later sent

back for burial at Day's Methodist Church Cemetery with full

military honors conducted by the American Legion Post 187 of

Kentwood.  He was the son of R.C. Williams and Ella Roberts

Williams of Liverpool, and was married to Ione Schwartz Williams.

They had one daughter, Glenda, who was born after he had gone

overseas.  The jeep in which he was killed bore her name.  He

was held in high esteem by the men in his company who collected

a large sum of money and sent it to his widow as a token of

friendship and respect for Pvt. Williams."

     Glenda said her mother was able to visit her dad when he

was stationed somewhere in Mississippi.  Their daughter Glenda

has three children and three grandchildren.

The information about Delos H. Williams was provided by Glenda
Williams Womack who also provided copies of the telegram and
letter from the Chaplain.

- - - - -

Newspaper clippings:

19 March 1943

Pvt. Delos Williams of Camp Mc-
Cain, Miss., spent the week-end
with his wife and her father, the
Rev. R.C. Williams of Liverpool.

6 April 1945

PVT. WILLIAMS DIES
IN OVERSEAS ACCIDENT

Pvt. Delos H. Williams, whose
father, R.C. Williams, lives in
Jackson, La., died as a result of
injuries received in a vehicle
accident according to a telegram
received on February 26 by his
wife, the former Ione Schwartz.

The date of Williams death
was February 9.  Letters con-
firming the death were sent to
his wife and told that Williams
was driving a jeep which skid-
ded off a bridges somewhere in
France.

A letter from Williams' com-
manding officer said that he had
been buried in Eastern France
and that funeral services had
been read by a Protestant chap-
lain.

Williams entered the Army in
January 1943, and had been
overseas for the past year.

Survivors include his wife;
a daughter, Glenda Ileen, 23
months old; his father; a brother,
Lee Williams of Jackson; and
five sisters, Mrs. Bennie John-
ston, Summit, Miss., Mrs. H.L. 
Courtney, Bogalusa, Mrs. War-
ren Watson, Mrs. H.O. Yar-
brough and Mrs. N.L. Guy, all
of Liverpool.
- - - - -

WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM

NS CK 43 GOT WASHINGTON DC 1121am 26th

MRS IONE WILLIAMS
RT ONE
KENTWOOD LA.

THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY
IN THE LOSS OF YOUR HUSBAND PRIVATE DELOS H WILLIAMS REPORTS
RECEIVED STATES HE DIED NINE FEBRUARY IN FRANCE AS RESULT OF
INJURIES INCURRED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS.

- - - - -

129TH SIGNAL RADIO INTELLIGENCE COMPANY
APO 23, c/o POSTMASTER
NEW YORK, N.Y.

23 February 1945

Dear Mrs. Williams,

     It was with deep regret and with the sense of a personal
loss that all of us in the company learned of the death of your
husband, Delos H. Williams, 38377686.  He was killed when the
jeep he was driving skidded off a bridge on 9 February 1945.

     He was buried in eastern France, and a Protestant Chaplain
officiated at his burial service.

     Delos had been with us since our company was activated in
Mississippi and was a very good soldier.  He was awarded the
Good Conduct Medal several months ago.

     Though it in no way eases your loss, be assured that Delos
died while doing his duty to win this war, as much so as any
rifleman, tankman or airman.  You have our deepest sympathy.

For the officers and men,

Edward Grubin
Capt. Sig. C
Commanding

* * * * *

J A ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL