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Submitted: 10/25/16 • Approved: 10/27/16 • Last Updated: 4/14/18 • R799540-G0-S3
T SGT US ARMY AIR FORCES WOULD WAR II
PURPLE HEART AIR MEDAL
29 May 1923 Steele, Pemiscot, MO
11 Apr 2009 Kennett, Dunklin, MO
Parents:
Harper Sylvester McDaniel (1890 - 1972)
Dorothy Turner McDaniel (1894 - 1975)
Spouse: Edna Wells
Willie D. McDaniel of Steele, died Saturday, April 11, 2009, at the Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett.
Born May 29, 1923, in Steele, he is the son of the late Dorothy Turner McDaniel and Harper Sylvester McDaniel.
He attended Steele schools and graduated in 1942.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in November 1942, serving as a flight engineer and top tarret gunner on B-17 Bombers during World War II.
Willie D. flew thirty two combat missions while stationed with the 15th Air Force in Foggia, Italy from September 1944 until June 1945.
While in combat over Italy, Austria and Germany, his planes were shot down five times. The final time was April 20, 1945 when he was wounded by anti-aircraft fire and forced to parachute from the plane.
He was rescued by an Italian family and hidden by them until the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, during which time he was listed as Missing in Action.
Willie D. was united in marriage to Edna Wells on Feb. 22, 1946.
He worked as a plumber-electrician and retired as a civil engineer from the Blytheville Air Force Base in 1987.
Willie D. was very active in community affairs, serving as a volunteer fireman, police judge, a city council member and at the time of his death was the Code of Enforcement Officer for the City of Steele.
He also served as a Cub Scout Master, a little league baseball coach, was involved with the Steele Youth Center in the 1960's and recently was active with the Neighborhood Watch and Steele Chamber of Commerce, all of this with the support and involvement of his wife Edna. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Steele and the Pemiscot County American Legion Post 88. In September 2003 Willie D. received the Pioneer Heritage Award for the Pemiscot County Historical Society.
Preceding him in death were his parents "Miss Mac" and "Harp".
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Edna; His son, Randy McDaniel and his wife Jeanie; One grandson, Nogi McDaniel and his wife.
Two great-grandsons: Payton and William McDaniel, all of Steele and a large number of friends and relatives.
Funeral services for Mr. McDaniel were held at the First Baptist Church in Steele with Brother Michael Funderburk officiating.
Burial was in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Steele.Steele Enterprise - Steele, Missouri - April 16, 2009
Contributed on 10/25/16 by ttack37
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Record #: 799540