Bill was a good guy. He and I were in Boy Scouts together, Troop 27 (First Methodist). He was killed by a land mine in Vietnam. I happened to be home on leave from the Air Force when his body came home, and his parents held a visitation (closed casket) at the funeral home. His younger brother Craig, who was a second lieutenant in the Army, stationed in Korea at the time, was permitted to escort his remains home. Craig and his fiancee were at the visitation. Since he was home in Kenosha, they accelerated their marriage plans so he could be married before going back to Korea. Several months later, when I was back on duty in Okinawa, I received word from my parents that Craig had been killed in a firing range accident in Korea. So Mr. and Mrs. Harff lost two of their three sons in a very short time. They were both great guys, and a privilege to know. Next time I saw Mrs. Harff, her hair had gone all white, but she was still vibrant and cheerful. She and her husband and their whole family were joyful in their approach to life, real Christians.
I went to school with Bill, but I didn't really know him. The Moving Wall is coming to Kenosha this week and I will be sure to find his name. Just thinking about seeing Bill's name on the Wall chokes me up and I didn't even know him. I know seeing the wall will be a very emotional event for me. I only wish there weren't so many names on it.
I HAVE SO MANY GOOD CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF BILL AND HIS BROTHERS SINCE WE WERE NEIGHBORS IN THE NEAR BY SUBDIVISION. WE KIDS WERE ALWAYS BUILDING HUTS WITH ALL THE EXCESS BUILDING MATERIALS THAT THE CARPENTERS LEFT AT THE HOME BUILDING SITES. ONE SUMMER BILL GOT THE IDEA THAT HE COULD MAKE A PARACHUTE OUT OF A SHEET AND HE DECIDED TO JUMP OFF HIS PARENTS GARAGE ROOF. WELL THIS RESULTED IN A INJURED LEG FOR BILL AND STRESS FOR HIS MOTHER.! BILL'S MOTHER ALWAYS HAD LEMONADE AND COOKIES FOR ALLOF US ON THOSE HOT SUMMER DAYS. YEARS LATER WHEN I HEARD THAT BILL WAS KILLED IN ACTION I WAS VERY SAD TO HAVE LOST A CHILDHOOD FRIEND. I STILL THINK OF BILL VERY OFTEN - ESPECIALLY WHEN I VISIT KENOSHA AND DRIVE PAST HIS CHILDHOOD HOME. I WAS ABLE TO GET A COPY OF THE KENOSHA NEWS ARTICLE IN WHICH HIS YOUNGER BROTHER WAS INTERVIEWED SEVERAL YEARS AGO ON THE FAMILY LOSS OF HIS TWO BROTHERS-- VERY HEART FELT MEMORIES.
Larry Sommers
Bill was a good guy. He and I were in Boy Scouts together, Troop 27 (First Methodist). He was killed by a land mine in Vietnam. I happened to be home on leave from the Air Force when his body came home, and his parents held a visitation (closed casket) at the funeral home. His younger brother Craig, who was a second lieutenant in the Army, stationed in Korea at the time, was permitted to escort his remains home. Craig and his fiancee were at the visitation. Since he was home in Kenosha, they accelerated their marriage plans so he could be married before going back to Korea. Several months later, when I was back on duty in Okinawa, I received word from my parents that Craig had been killed in a firing range accident in Korea. So Mr. and Mrs. Harff lost two of their three sons in a very short time. They were both great guys, and a privilege to know. Next time I saw Mrs. Harff, her hair had gone all white, but she was still vibrant and cheerful. She and her husband and their whole family were joyful in their approach to life, real Christians.
Linda Hanson (Wellman)
I went to school with Bill, but I didn't really know him. The Moving Wall is coming to Kenosha this week and I will be sure to find his name. Just thinking about seeing Bill's name on the Wall chokes me up and I didn't even know him. I know seeing the wall will be a very emotional event for me. I only wish there weren't so many names on it.
Kevin Barat (Sherwin)
I HAVE SO MANY GOOD CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF BILL AND HIS BROTHERS SINCE WE WERE NEIGHBORS IN THE NEAR BY SUBDIVISION. WE KIDS WERE ALWAYS BUILDING HUTS WITH ALL THE EXCESS BUILDING MATERIALS THAT THE CARPENTERS LEFT AT THE HOME BUILDING SITES. ONE SUMMER BILL GOT THE IDEA THAT HE COULD MAKE A PARACHUTE OUT OF A SHEET AND HE DECIDED TO JUMP OFF HIS PARENTS GARAGE ROOF. WELL THIS RESULTED IN A INJURED LEG FOR BILL AND STRESS FOR HIS MOTHER.! BILL'S MOTHER ALWAYS HAD LEMONADE AND COOKIES FOR ALLOF US ON THOSE HOT SUMMER DAYS. YEARS LATER WHEN I HEARD THAT BILL WAS KILLED IN ACTION I WAS VERY SAD TO HAVE LOST A CHILDHOOD FRIEND. I STILL THINK OF BILL VERY OFTEN - ESPECIALLY WHEN I VISIT KENOSHA AND DRIVE PAST HIS CHILDHOOD HOME. I WAS ABLE TO GET A COPY OF THE KENOSHA NEWS ARTICLE IN WHICH HIS YOUNGER BROTHER WAS INTERVIEWED SEVERAL YEARS AGO ON THE FAMILY LOSS OF HIS TWO BROTHERS-- VERY HEART FELT MEMORIES.
Georgia Augard (VanWormer)
A special time of rememberance of those who gave the gift of life in service to our country. Bill, we thank you for your service to our country.