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Casualty Info
Home Town Waynesville, IL
Last Address Waynesville, IL
Casualty Date Aug 24, 1942
Cause KIA-Died of Wounds
Reason Gun, Small Arms Fire
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Buried at Sea, Pacific Ocean
The war was brought close to Waynesville Thursday morning when the following telegram was received by Mr. and Mrs. Leo Price: "The Navy department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, William Leslie Price, Gunner's Mate, third class, U.S.N., was killed in action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The department extends to your its sincerest sympathy in your great loss. To prevent possible aid to our enemies, please do not divulge the name of his ship or station. On account of existing conditions recovery of remains impossible. If further details are received you will be properly informed." Signed, Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs Chief of Navy Personnel.
The news came as a sad blow to the family and the entire community. Billie enlisted in the navy the 15th of August, 1940, and received training for six weeks at Great Lakes naval training station. Since that time he has been stationed at several different bases, being at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack there on December 7, 1941. For the last year he has been on active sea duty and his parents had a letter from him on August 26, which was dated by him on August 2.
William Leslie Price, eldest son of Grace and Leo Price, was born on the farm north of Waynesville on March 22, 1919. He attended grade school at the Maple Grove rural school and graduated from Waynesville Township High School in June 1938. In the family besides his parents are Miss Frances Price, of Bloomington; Frederick Price, who is in the navy and when heard from last was in the receiving station at Brooklyn, New York; Pollyanna, Barbara, Gene and Jack, at home.
Billie's brother Fred was also killed in action during WWII while in service to his country in the U.S. Navy.
