Pvt. “Bill” Shea Killed on Mindanao
After 8 Months Duty
Cousin Killed There Week Earlier
Lived Here Formerly

Shea entered the Army on July 11, 1944, and was inducted at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He received his training in the infantry at Camp Roberts, California, after which he spent a furlough with relatives here. Upon returning to Fort Ord, California, he was sent overseas. His wife received a letter from him written the day before his death, and the communication indicates that he was killed on his second day of combat. He also stated that he had received no mail since January, although he was confident letters had been written.

Born in Collinsville on November 4, 1921. Shea was twenty-three years old when he died. He attended the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School and graduated from CTHS IN 1939. Before induction he was employed at Swifts and Company, East St. Louis.

Besides his wife and mother, Pvt. Shea is survived by two daughters; Patricia and Christine, a sister Mary Ann Shea, a brother S/Sgt Harold Shea, stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia. An infant son, twin to Patricia, preceded him in death.

High masses were held in his honor on Thursday, April 17, and a second will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 22, at SS. Peter and Paul Church.

Young Shea’s cousin, Sgt. Emmett Shea, son of Mr. And Mrs. Emmett Shea, Freeburg, former residents of Collinsville, was also killed on Mindanao on March 10. Emmett was born and raised here, although his family left the city fifteen years ago. He had been overseas thirty-eight months of his four years in the Army and had received no furloughs since his induction.

Information regarding the death of these two young men has been withheld from the newspapers up to the present time, due to the serious illness of Miss Mary Anne Shea.

Photo contributed by Mrs. Janet Witte Shea (2007)

A color guard will be furnished by Gold Star Memorial Post, National Stockyards. Pallbearers will be Danny O’Hara, Walter Richter, William Dietchman, John Preckshot, LeRoy Wagner And William Palecek, Jr. The latter will serve in the place of his brother, the late Robert Palecek, a close friend of the deceased.Msgr. B.N. Manning will officiate.

Shea entered the Army July 12, 1944, trained at Camp Roberts, Cal., and joined the 41st Division, going into action March 10, 1945 in the invasion of Mindano. He was killed only week later. His cousin, Emmett Shea of Freeburg, a former Collinsville resident, was killed in the same division in the same action on March 10.

Shea was born November 4, 1921. son of Mrs. Emma Schifferdecker Shea, 318 Vandalia street, and the late Stephen J. Shea. He was educated in the Collinsville schools, and a graduate of CTHS. He was employed at Swift & Co. in East. St. Louis when he entered the service.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Patricia and Christine; his mother, Mrs. Emma Shea, and a brother, Harold Shea.. A son, Stephen, twin to Patricia, died in infancy.

Members of the Leighton Evatt Post, American Legion, will assemble at Schroeppel Funeral Home at 7:30 p.m. Sunday to pay their last respects to Bill Shea. At 8:00 p.m., members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Kahokian Memorial Post will gather to pay similar tribute.

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Updated January 13, 2008
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