William Lee Stapleton
- Born: 29 Aug 1922, Eagle Lake, Colorado County, Texas
- Died: 16 Oct 1942 at age 20
General Notes:
Stapleton, William Lee
Wm. L. Stapleton, Eagle Lake Youth, Killed in Action
Word was received from the war department of the death of Wm. Lee Stapleton, 20, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Lee Stapleton of Eagle Lake. Young Stapleton was a seaman first class and is Eagle Lake's first war casualty, during the present conflict.
The message received by the parents stated he was killed in action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The remains were interred in locale of death, the message said.
All of Colorado County mourns with the parents in the tragic death of this young man, who died that the rest of us may live.
Weimar Mercury, December 11m 1942, page 1
Stapleton's Body Due At E. Lake Soon
The body of William Lee Stapleton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Stapleton of Eagle Lake, former Weimar people, is due to be returned home in the near future for burial there, it is reported.
The young sailor's remains arrived with those of more than 2800 other war dead from the South Pacific area on February 10.
He was first buried on a small island about twenty miles from Guadalcanal. He will be given a military funeral at Eagle Lake when the remains reach that city, where the VFW post has been named for him.
Weimar Mercury, February 27, 1948
Body of Wm. Lee Stapleton To Arrive Here Soon
William Lee Stapleton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Stapleton, young Eagle Lake sailor who lost his life in a naval engagement in the South Pacific during World War II will shortly be returned to Eagle Lake for burial.
Young Stapleton, together with more than 2800 war dead from the South Pacific area arrived in the United States aboard the Transport "Cardinal O'Connell" at San Francisco February 10th.
Billy, as he was affectionately known to family and friends was born in Eagle Lake on August 29, 1922 and attended Eagle Lake School until his senior year when he sought the permission of his parents to enter the Untied States Navy on July 16, 1941 prior to the Pearl Harbor incident.
Together with six other Eagle Lake lads, Billy took his basic training in San Diego. He was serving aboard the U. S. S. McFarland when the ship was engaged in a naval battle and lost his life on October 16, 1942.
He was buried with full military honors on a small island about twenty miles from Guadalcanal. Last year his cemetery was abandoned and his body was brought to Guadalcanal to remain until arrangement could be made for the trip home. The "Cardinal O'Connell" is reported to have stopped in the Hawaiian Island for memorial services.
No definite word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Stapleton as to when the body will arrive in Eagle Lake for burial, but it is expected in the near future for interment in Lakeside Cemetery.
The newly organized Post of Veterans of Foreign Wars received the family's permission to name their post in honor of this young sailor who was the first Eagle Lake serviceman to lose his life in action in World War II.
Eagle Lake Headlight, February 20, 1948
Transcribed by Judy Talkington
Additional Information:
• Military Service: US Navy, Between 16 Jul 1941 and 16 Oct 1942, the Pacific during World War II.
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