William Stephens Killed in Action
Pfc. William J. Stephens, 23, son of Mrs. James Clark, 1014 West 11th street, was killed in action Feb. 9 in Germany while serving with an infantry division [310th infantry, 76th Infantry Division], it was learned here Monday.
Private Stephens, a former employe (sic) of the John Deere Tractor Co., entered service in September, 1942, and received basic training with the anti-aircraft at Camp Haan, Cal, and was later transferred to the infantry, training at Camp Pickett, Va., and Camp Carson, Colo., before going overseas in October, 1944.
Born Sept. 22, 1921, at Albia, Ia., he moved here nine years ago and attended East high school. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic church, Georgetown, Ia., and the St. Joseph’s Catholic church, Waterloo.
On Nov. 28, 1940, he married Pauline Wagner, of Waterloo, at West Point, Ia., who now resides at 134 Lincoln street.
Also surviving besides his wife and mother are two children, Donald Eugene, three and a half years old, and Sharon Kay, one and a half years old; one sister, Barbara Lois, and one brother, Jimmy Jack, both at home.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Monday, February 26, 1945, Page 1 (photo included)
Pfc. Stephens' Body Arrives Friday
The body of Pfc. William J. Stephens, who was killed in action Feb. 9, 1945 in Germany in the Battle of Schmitz, while serving with the 78th Lightning infantry division, has been returned from Belgium for reburial and is to arrive here Friday, according to word received here Monday afternoon by his mother, Mrs. James Clark.
Removed from Henri-Capelli cemetery in Belgium, the body is due here Friday at 5:25 a.m. on the Illinois Central railroad and will be taken to O'Keefe & Towne funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted early next week.
Private Stephens, a former employee of the John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works, entered service in September, 1942, and received basic training with the anti-aircraft at Camp Haan, Ccal., and was later transferred to the infantry, training at Camp Pickett, Va., and Camp Carson, Colo., before going overseas on Oct. 7, 1944.
He was 23 at the time of his death.
Born Sept. 22, 1921, at Albia, Ia., he moved to Waterloo about 1936, and attended East high school. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church, Georgetown, Ia., and of St. Joseph's Catholic church here.
On Nov. 28, 1940 he married Pauline Wagner, of Waterloo, at West Point, Ia.
Surviving in addition to his step-father, mother, wife and children are a sister and half-brother, and his paternal grandmother.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Thursday, June 30, 1948, Page 3
DEATHS
PFC. W. J. STEPHENS.
The body of Pfc. William J. Stephens, son of Mrs. James H. Clark, 1014 West 11th street, arrived at 5:25 a. m. Friday at O’Keefe & Towne funeral home, having been shipped here from Belgium. It was brought here for reburial in Calvary cemetery from Henri-Capelli cemetery in Belgium.
Requiem high mass will be celebrated at 9 a. m. Monday, in St. Joseph’s Catholic church.
The Altar society will meet at 8 p. m. Sunday in the home of Mrs. Clark to recite the rosary.
Private Stephens was killed in action Feb. 9, 1945, at Schmidt, Germany
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Friday, May 14, 1948, Section Two, Page 18
