Clark County NV Archives Obituaries.....WILLSON, Paul October 5 1918 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nv/nvfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Gerry Perry missgerry@cox.net May 30, 2004, 12:22 am Las Vegas Age - 12/7/1918 PAUL WILLSON DIED IN COUNTRY'S SERVICE LAS VEGAS BOY PASSED AWAY IN FRANCE - BEAUTIFUL LETTER FROM RED CROSS NURSE Another Las Vegas boy who gave his life in the service of his country is Paul WILLSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. K. WILLSON of this city. He died of pneumonia at Camp Hospital No. 14, with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, at 1:50 a.m. of October 5th. Paul is well remembered by many in Las Vegas. He was for several years employed in the railroad shops here and was also for some time the motion picture operator at the Majestic theatre. He was a merry, kind hearted lad, full of the joy of living, and was loved by all for his fine, manly qualities of mind and heart. His passing brings us deep grief. Only a few months ago, Mr. WILLSON visited the east to see his boy before he was sent over the sea. Paul enlisted in January, 1918, at Seattle, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. WILLSON have received a letter from the Red Cross nurse who cared for Paul in his last illness, which is so beautiful in sentiment and so typical of thousands of other similar letters written by those angels of mercy, that we have asked permission to publish it: "Camp Hospital 14, A.P.O. 724, A.E.F., October 6, 1918 My Dear Mr. and Mrs. WILLSON: This is a most difficult task for me to undertake, but your son has made so deep an impression on me that I can't refrain from writing of the last hours of your loved one. I feel sure you will have heard by the time my letter reaches you that Paul WILLSON died of pneumonia at 1:50 a.m. Oct. 5. I happened to be the night nurse and spent just as much time as possible with him. I never saw him until he was desperately ill, but am very sure he must have been a gentle, lovable and appreciative boy. I don't believe at any time he was delerious [sic], and when I saw he was dying, I sat a long time by him, holding his hand. He was so grateful. I asked he he did not want me to write his mother and father that he was ill. He replied, "Yes, but I don't know what to tell them - just tell them that you are very good." No other message could I get. About ten minutes before he died, he asked me to kiss him. I hesitated, because I thought he might be delerious [sic]. He said again, ":Please, won't you kiss me?" I said, "Yes, Paul," and kissed him on the cheek. He said, "Oh, no-please kiss me right." and was not satisfied until I had kissed him on his lips. He said, "I want to die - can't you hurry it?" It was very hard for him to breathe. His voice grew weaker and weaker, and the last words I caught were, "I-hope-he-will-make-her -happy." It was very sad indeed, and I shall never forget it. We just came in from the little chapel where he lies now, looking so young, so peaceful and so brave in his uniform. Our little cemetery, with its little white slabs, is very beautiful, overlooking the camp and in each and every grave is a beautiful boy all having given their lives to their country. I am wondering if you have a little picture of this dear brave boy that I might have? He has made an everlasting impression on me and I should so appreciate his likeness. I am sending you both a heart full of sympathy and hope that God may give you courage for all this sadness. Most sincerely, CECELIA ISABELLA O'REILLY. P.S. October 17, - its a long time since I wrote this letter but I wanted to be sure before sending it off too early, my letter would not be the first. I have been up to Paul's grave and have a little blue-beeded flower that was given by his comrades. I shall send it to you. - C.I.O'R." This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/nvfiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb