TAPS

Ray Frank Williams | 1925 - 2016 | Obituary

Visitation Wednesday, Jan 20, 2016 6:00 PM Funeral Service Thursday, Jan 21, 2016 11:00 AM Frank Williams Born: August 05, 1925 Died: January 16, 2016

 U.S. Veteran Ray Franklin “Frank” Williams age 90 of Bucklin, died Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Lock Haven Nursing Home in Macon. Frank was born at Clarksburg, Missouri on August 5, 1925 to John Oren and Della (Newkirk) Williams. He married Marilyn Ruth Witt on May 24, 1957 and she survives him. Frank was a Veteran of the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific Theater in WWII aboard the Destroyer USS Hazelwood DD531, surviving a Kamikaze attack on April 29, 1945 that took the lives of 77 of his shipmates.
He had worked for KCP & L, LP & H Construction in Tipton, Chariton Valley Telephone in Bucklin where he retired and enjoyed raising cattle on his farm. He graduated Clarksburg High School in 1943 and was a member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church south of Clarksburg and the Green Hills Post #57 of Bucklin.
 He is survived by his wife Marilyn of the home in Bucklin, two sons, Keith Williams and Nancy and Kurt Williams all of Bucklin, daughter Karen Hawkins and Doug, Macon, six grandchildren, Blake Williams (Alissa & daughter Rylynn) Bucklin, Jordan (Tiffany) Williams, Paola, KS; Jared (Jenna) Williams, Lancaster, Benjamin Williams, Macon, and Paige and Katelyn Hawkins, Macon, and five great grandchildren, Bryce & Ava Williams, Gus & Savannah Williams, and Henry Williams, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

 Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, January 21, 2016 at Delaney Funeral Home in Bucklin, burial with Military Honors will be in the Masonic Cemetery in Bucklin. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the funeral home in Bucklin. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post #57 or Bucklin Methodist Church and these may be left at or mailed to Delaney Funeral Home 41 Locust Bucklin, MO 64631. SERVICES Visitation Wednesday, January 20, 2016 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Delaney Funeral Home 1720 N. Missouri Ave. Marceline, Missouri 64658 Get Directions on Google Maps Funeral Service Thursday, January 21, 2016 11:00 AM Delaney Funeral Home 1720 N. Missouri Ave. Marceline, Missouri 64658

1995 GROUP PHOTO AT CHARLESTON, NC

This is a photo of the reunion at Charleston, NC in 1995 supplied to me by Ken Hughes. I added names to the photo for your convenience. Also, following the photo is a listing of attendees along with their rates. If you click on the picture, it will enlarge so you can see it and the names better.

Enjoy and smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Two attendees were not available for the group photo, Joel Coffman had to leave early so  he could get on an Honor flight to Washington DC. I am sure he enjoyed that trip. Steve Grigg, son of Warren Grigg 43-45 could not stay long enough for the picture or banquet.   John Hankinson Jr., son of John Sr. 43-45, also attended and is shown in the group picture.

During the reunion, Jim Julian announced his "retirement" as "Reunion Chairman" after serving as chairman for 2 1/2 reunions. Bruce Shilling graciously accepted chairmanship of the next reunion (2017) and is tentatively planning on Nashville, TN. As plans progress shipmates will be informed of the plans.

This reunion had 59 total attending and 35 shipmates, which included 2 sons of shipmates.

If you click on the photo it will get enlarged so you can see it better.

LATEST REUNION UPDATE

Shipmates, Here is the latest list of those attending the Norfolk reunion.  I was sorry to find out that Ray Williams will be missing this reunion because of personal issues. This is the very first Hazelwood reunion he has missed. When I spoke to him he said to convey his greetings to everyone and wish you all to have a great reunion.

There are 34 shipmates attending and a total of 57 individuals.

 

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

 

Richard Adams, 61

Pat Aube, 62-63

George Barket, 44-46

John Bohonovic 63-65

Joel Coffman, 61-62

Dale Crosier, 55-58

K. C. Doyle, 56-58

Richard Ernst, 58-63

John Hankinson, son of John Sr

Russell Harwood, 63-64

Gordon Heath. 56-58

Ken Hughes, 52-54

Henry Johnson. 55-59

Jim Julian. 58-60

Charles Kepner, 56-59

Robert Kevan, 59-62

Louis Kueltzo, 53-55

Albert Landeck, 62-65

Charles Lincourt, 63-65

Ronald Lovejoy, 59

Ted Mariner, 52-56

Lynn McMillan, 55-59

Pat Patton, 62-65

William Rickard, 59-62

Ed Schroeder, 62-64

Richard Shafer, 61-64

Bruce Shilling, 62-64

Nelson Smock, 61-63

Clint Starke, 55-57

William Szturma, 62-63

Walter Voll, 60-64

Terry Young, 62-65

Andrew Zagayko, 62-63

Dan Zakovic, 61-63

REUNION UPDATE - FEB 18, 2015

SAD NEWS: In the last week I received the news of the passing of 2 of our shipmates who served in the 40's. Robert Shoafstall passed away on FEB 16, 2015 and Howell Hedrick passed away on APR 24, 2014.

 

The list below is as of FEB 18, 2015. Several of those on the list are "MAYBE's" and we hope they can make it to the reunion.

 

Richard Adams, 61

Pat Aube, 62-63

George Barket, 44-46

John Bohonovic 63-65

Dale Crosier 55-58

Fred Joe Dees,51-55

K. C. Doyle, 56-58

Richard Ernst, 58-63

John Hankinson, Son on John Sr.

Ken Hughes, 52-54

Henry Johnson. 55-59

Jim Julian. 58-60

Charles Kepner, 56-59

Robert Kevan 59-62

Albert Landeck, 62-65

Ted Mariner, 52-56

Lynn McMillan 55-59

Thad Patton, 62-65

Ed Schroeder, 62-64
Richard Shafer, 61-64

Bruce Shilling, 62-64

Nelson Smock, 61-63

Clint Starke, 55-57

William Szturma, 62-63

Duane Van Tassel, 60-63

Walter Voll, 60-64

Ray Williams 44-46

Ted Winzig, 62-64

Otis Wolfe 43-46

Terry Young, 62-65

Andrew Zagayko, 62-63

Dan Zakovic 61-63

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

REUNION UPDATE - JAN 21, 2015

For those shipmates wondering who is planning to attend the reunion here is the list at this time. Several have said maybe but most have said they will be there.

Pat Aube, 62-63

George Barket, 44-46
Fred Joe Dees,51-55
Richard Ernst, 58-63
Ken Hughes, 52-54
Jim Julian. 58-60
Charles Kepner, 56-59
Nelson Smock, 61-63
Clint Starke, 55-57
William Szturma, 62-63
Duane Van Tassel, 60-63
Walter Voll, 60-64
Ted Winzig, 62-64
Richard Zimmerman, 42-45

 Of course we hope to have a lot more attend but there is still time to get  your reservation in.

SAD NEWS - I heard from Otis Wolfe, 43-46, last week. His wife of 67 years passed away early in January. I expressed our condolences and we chatted for a while. Otis is now 90 years old and may not make this reunion. He and Robert Shoafstall were in the number one 5 inch mount when the Kamikaze hit and they bailed out of the mount. One on each side. Robert is not able to make this reunion but I got the two of them to talk together on the phone so they could talk about their times on the Hazelwood.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian