HERE and THERE
Rockwell – Marlo Meyer, Martin Cahill, Virgil Francil, William Heaford and Claire Amendt left Friday morning to be inducted in the army.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Monday, June 28, 1943, Page 8
WAR CASUAL LISTED BY NAVY
In the navy department list of casualties for Friday are the names of the following North Iowans:
Dead
William Phillip Heaford, seaman 1/c, previously reported missing, son of Charles Heaford, Rockwell.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Friday, August 03, 1945, Page 2
Sailor From Rockwell Loses Life
William P. Heaford, son of Charles W. Heaford of Rockwell, lost his life as a result of enemy action on May 9, according to a message received from the war department by his father. He had first been reported missing in action on May 23.
“He was a crew member of a plane on a special mission of the utmost importance over enemy-held territory,” Lt. Comdr. R. C. Lefever had written in telling the details of his death.
“The plane was badly damaged by enemy fire and struck the water out of control. Some survivors were rescued and it was stated that those not rescued went down with the wreckage. He was considered by his command as an ‘excellent prospective ordnanceman, his duties always performed promptly, eagerly and efficiently.’”
William was born at Rockwell on Feb. 23, 1925. He was confirmed in St. Peter’s Lutheran church there and was graduated from the high school in 1942. He entered the service in June, 1943, and received his boot training at Farragut, Idaho, and took further training at Norman, Okla., and in California. He went overseas early in January of this year.
Besides his father he is survived by 3 brothers, S/Sgt. Charles, on occupational duty in Germany; Oscar, of Rockwell; and Walter, at home; also 2 sisters, Mrs. Mildred Riggan of Swaledale, and Edith, at home. His mother preceded him in death in Oct., 1942.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Monday, August 20, 1945, Page 2 (photo included)
Heaford Memorial Service
at Rockwell Church Sunday
Youth Killed in Pacific
Had Planned to Entry Ministry
A memorial service for William P. Heaford, S 1/c, who lost his life in the Pacific action last May, will be held at the St. Peter Lutheran church at Rockwell Sunday morning at 10 o’clock in connection with the regular morning worship. The Rev. G. J. Meyer will officiate.
Special music will be provided by Mrs. Verle Barnhill and Orville Witte, who will sing “Jesus Still Lead On,” one of Heaford’s favorite hymns. All hymns to be used in the service were favorites of the young man, who had planned to study for the ministry in the Lutheran church. Marlo Meyer, SK 3/c, a friend of William’s, home on leave, will place the gold star on the church’s service flag.
William, son of Charles and Amanda Heaford, was born at Rockwell on Feb. 23, 1925. he was baptized and confirmed in the Rockwell church of which he was a member.
“Bill,” as he was known, attended both grade and high school in Rockwell, graduating with the class of 1942. About one year later he was called to the service. He received his boot training at Farragut, Idaho, and later took further training at Norman, Okla. He went overseas early in Jan., 1945.
On May 23 came the first message reporting that he was missing in action. A short time later a telegram was received stating that he had been killed in action on May 9. William was a crew member of a plane on a special mission over enemy territory, the message had stated. The plane was badly damaged by the enemy fire and struck water out of control. There were some survivors, who all state that those not rescued went down with the wreckage. Lt. Comdr., R. C. Leever wrote, “William was considered by his command as an excellent ordnanceman. His duties were always performed promptly, eagerly and efficiently.”
He is survived by his father at Rockwell; 3 brothers, Charles, recently discharged from the army; Oscar of Rockwell; and Walter at home; 2 sisters, Mrs. Mildred Riggan of Mason City, and Edith at home. His mother preceded him in death in Oct. 1942.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Thursday, November 15, 1945, Page 18
Petty Officer William Phillip (Bill) Heaford is memorialized at the Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Source: ancestry.com
