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Submitted: 11/25/13 • Approved: 11/26/13 • Last Updated: 11/29/13 • R958621-G0-S3
May 12,1913-Aug 23,1939
Son of John M and Anna Marie Gunther Willems
William, known as Willy, was the fifth child of John M. Willems and Anna Marie Günther (Guenther) Willems. He was a popular young man and had many friends. Blessed with a good singing voice, Willy accompanied himself on the guitar and was a very promising student. Never marrying, he finished high school and then started college for a time at Subiaco Academy while considering becoming a priest. He never did. Instead he went to Abilene, Texas, then on to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he worked as warehouse manager for Montgomery Ward. He wrote home about something funny going on out there and was later found dead near railroad tracks after being run over by a train. Was it extortion or blackmail he hinted at in his letters? We'll never know. The tragedy made front page news of the Albuquerque Journal "Foul Play Hinted In Train Death". William was 26 years old when he died August 23, 1939. His grieving father, John Martin Willems traveled by train to New Mexico and brought his body home for burial.
Contributed on 11/25/13 by bill060
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Record #: 958621