William Ellis Wilson, Jr. was born to William E. Wilson, Sr. and Jessie Moses in 1915 in Victoria, Texas. He was a proud student at The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (known today as Texas A&M), member of the student corps, and of the men's swim team. Transferring to the Univerity of Texas, he finished his law degree and he joined his father in their law firm. Together they became "Wilson and Wilson" based in Wichita Falls, Texas.
He was first part of the Texas National Guard, 131st field artillery, battery D. They later became "The Lost Battalion."
He was then pulled before shipping out and was sent to the Air Corp for flight training where he earned his wings at Victory Field.
During this time, he fell in love and married Elsie Mae Jones.
In the evening of January 30, 1943 during a training flight near New Braunfels, Texas he and Sgt. Barney F. Bobo went down. It was believe to be pilot error, but modern day knowledge of the Texan Trainers and the difficulties pilots had flying them points to likely issues with the plane or flight itself.
Days before he was killed, Elsie wrote her mother a letter. In the letter she explained her fear of him flying at night and her anxiety of something happening to him. Sadly, her worst fears came true.
Nearly nine months later on September 16, William's first and only child, Jan Ellise, my grandmother, was born. Because it was so early on, Ellis likely died without knowing he had a child on the way. She was truly a miracle and was brought in to the world to keep his memory alive.
He was first part of the Texas National Guard, 131st field artillery, battery D. They later became "The Lost Battalion."
He was then pulled before shipping out and was sent to the Air Corp for flight training where he earned his wings at Victory Field.
During this time, he fell in love and married Elsie Mae Jones.
In the evening of January 30, 1943 during a training flight near New Braunfels, Texas he and Sgt. Barney F. Bobo went down. It was believe to be pilot error, but modern day knowledge of the Texan Trainers and the difficulties pilots had flying them points to likely issues with the plane or flight itself.
Days before he was killed, Elsie wrote her mother a letter. In the letter she explained her fear of him flying at night and her anxiety of something happening to him. Sadly, her worst fears came true.
Nearly nine months later on September 16, William's first and only child, Jan Ellise, my grandmother, was born. Because it was so early on, Ellis likely died without knowing he had a child on the way. She was truly a miracle and was brought in to the world to keep his memory alive.
William Ellis Wilson, Jr. was born to William E. Wilson, Sr. and Jessie Moses in 1915 in Victoria, Texas. He was a proud student at The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (known today as Texas A&M), member of the student corps, and of the men's swim team. Transferring to the Univerity of Texas, he finished his law degree and he joined his father in their law firm. Together they became "Wilson and Wilson" based in Wichita Falls, Texas.
He was first part of the Texas National Guard, 131st field artillery, battery D. They later became "The Lost Battalion."
He was then pulled before shipping out and was sent to the Air Corp for flight training where he earned his wings at Victory Field.
During this time, he fell in love and married Elsie Mae Jones.
In the evening of January 30, 1943 during a training flight near New Braunfels, Texas he and Sgt. Barney F. Bobo went down. It was believe to be pilot error, but modern day knowledge of the Texan Trainers and the difficulties pilots had flying them points to likely issues with the plane or flight itself.
Days before he was killed, Elsie wrote her mother a letter. In the letter she explained her fear of him flying at night and her anxiety of something happening to him. Sadly, her worst fears came true.
Nearly nine months later on September 16, William's first and only child, Jan Ellise, my grandmother, was born. Because it was so early on, Ellis likely died without knowing he had a child on the way. She was truly a miracle and was brought in to the world to keep his memory alive.
He was first part of the Texas National Guard, 131st field artillery, battery D. They later became "The Lost Battalion."
He was then pulled before shipping out and was sent to the Air Corp for flight training where he earned his wings at Victory Field.
During this time, he fell in love and married Elsie Mae Jones.
In the evening of January 30, 1943 during a training flight near New Braunfels, Texas he and Sgt. Barney F. Bobo went down. It was believe to be pilot error, but modern day knowledge of the Texan Trainers and the difficulties pilots had flying them points to likely issues with the plane or flight itself.
Days before he was killed, Elsie wrote her mother a letter. In the letter she explained her fear of him flying at night and her anxiety of something happening to him. Sadly, her worst fears came true.
Nearly nine months later on September 16, William's first and only child, Jan Ellise, my grandmother, was born. Because it was so early on, Ellis likely died without knowing he had a child on the way. She was truly a miracle and was brought in to the world to keep his memory alive.
Gravesite Details
Part of the Wilson family plots
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