Beckham County, OK - Obits: William S. McKay, 1921
22 August 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

*********************************************************************
                        USGENWEB NOTICE
                 Copyright.  All rights reserved.
          http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
*********************************************************************

MC KAY, WILLIAM S.
(30 Jun 1921, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
MILITARY FUNERAL
The firing squad of the Elk City Post of the American Legion was called to
Leedey Wednesday to conduct the Military funeral of William McKay, a
member of Company K, 358 Infantry, who was killed in action somewhere in
France.
His body arrived Tuesday from overseas.
Other bodies from overseas passing through here Tuesday, were Clarence
Inman, Company G of 357 Infantry enroute to Woodward, and Vernon Wright,
Company I of the 112 Infantry enroute to Gate, Oklahoma.  They were
accompanied by military escorts from Camp Pike.
AMERICAN LEGION CONDUCTS FUNERAL AT LEEDEY
Charles McGrady, Neal O'Brien, Chester Middleton, Earl Amend and Fred
Chambers of the Firing Squad, Leslie Blackburn, Bugler and W. W.
Blackburn, Post Commander of the Elk City Post of the American Legion,
went to Leedey Wednesday where they assisted the Post at that place in
conducting the funeral services of Corporal Wm. S. McKay, who was killed
in action overseas on the St. Mehiel battle front September 12, 1918.
Funeral services were held at the Center Chapel Cemetery, northwest of
Leedey, where a large concourse of neighbors and friends gathered to pay
their last respects to the loved one, who only a short time ago so gladly
answered his country's call.  In behalf of the American Legion Captain
Gardner of Leedey, paid a tribute to their comrades who had made the
supreme sacrifice over there.  Rev. Davis, a friend and neighbor, in
touching words, told of the noble character of this youth whom he had
watched grow to manhood.  Of his virtues, his ambitions for the future and
his determination to be a success in the world.  How willing he had
entered his country's service, feeling it a patriotic duty.
When called into the army he was employed by the Santa Fe Railway Company
and by his diligence and conscientious performance of his duties while in
that position he had won the approval and confidence of his employers.
Only a few days before leaving for camp, he told Rev. Davis his Company
had told him that when he returned from war his position would be waiting
for him.
During the services, the ex-soldiers were in a semi-circle around the
grave and after the casket was lowered, a salute was fired.  Immediately
following the benediction taps were sounded by the bugler and beautiful
flowers were strewn on the grave.
The deceased leaves a father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. G. S. McKay, of
Leedey, five sisters and three brothers, one of whom was with the brother
in France and visited his grave there December 28, 1918.

---------------------------------------------------
Return to Beckham County Archives:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html