(Obituary from page 1 of "The Avoca Journal-Herald" dated February 13, 1919.)
Another Gold Star on the Service Flag
William Ray Dyson was born at Walnut, Iowa, December 10, 1889, the son of Alexander and Emma Dyson. He was brought up at his birthplace by his mother's parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Van Buren. He attended the Walnut public schools, where he was known as Rip Van Buren.
He went to Groom, Texas, where he worked three years with his grandfather, for John Bergen on the farm. Later he spent three years at Avoca, Iowa, where he made his home with his mother and where he was employed by Charlie Swartz and William Wasser.
For a year before entering the United States army Ray worked at the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific round house at Valley Junction, Iowa. There he volunteered on June 15, 1917.
He was sent to Camp Cody, New Mexico, where he belonged to Company B, 183 Infantry, 34 division. He was later assigned to Company I, Cody June Auto Replacement Draft Overseas Casuals and sent to Camp Merritt, New Jersey.
He became a member of Company B, 59 Infantry Expeditionary Forces, with whom he went over the top in August. His last letter written November 2, 1918, expressed joy in receiving a bunch of letters from home, stated also that he was doing his duty and mentioned what he anticipated on his return home. He was taken ill, while with the 8th Brigade Relay Company. The official notice received from the War Department gave as the cause of his death, lobar pneumonia on December 31, 1918.
He leaves to mourn his early loss his aged grandfather, now residing with his daughter, Mrs. Ed. Ackert near Prairie Rose, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Towle of Avoca, three brothers, Fred of Millboro, South Dakota, Dwayne and Ben at home and one sister, Mrs. Henry Berge of Hancock, Iowa. Although relatives and friends are saddened by his death, they are proud to know that he performed his duty and willingly gave his life for the flag of his country, our beloved Stars and Stripes.
Another Gold Star on the Service Flag
William Ray Dyson was born at Walnut, Iowa, December 10, 1889, the son of Alexander and Emma Dyson. He was brought up at his birthplace by his mother's parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Van Buren. He attended the Walnut public schools, where he was known as Rip Van Buren.
He went to Groom, Texas, where he worked three years with his grandfather, for John Bergen on the farm. Later he spent three years at Avoca, Iowa, where he made his home with his mother and where he was employed by Charlie Swartz and William Wasser.
For a year before entering the United States army Ray worked at the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific round house at Valley Junction, Iowa. There he volunteered on June 15, 1917.
He was sent to Camp Cody, New Mexico, where he belonged to Company B, 183 Infantry, 34 division. He was later assigned to Company I, Cody June Auto Replacement Draft Overseas Casuals and sent to Camp Merritt, New Jersey.
He became a member of Company B, 59 Infantry Expeditionary Forces, with whom he went over the top in August. His last letter written November 2, 1918, expressed joy in receiving a bunch of letters from home, stated also that he was doing his duty and mentioned what he anticipated on his return home. He was taken ill, while with the 8th Brigade Relay Company. The official notice received from the War Department gave as the cause of his death, lobar pneumonia on December 31, 1918.
He leaves to mourn his early loss his aged grandfather, now residing with his daughter, Mrs. Ed. Ackert near Prairie Rose, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Towle of Avoca, three brothers, Fred of Millboro, South Dakota, Dwayne and Ben at home and one sister, Mrs. Henry Berge of Hancock, Iowa. Although relatives and friends are saddened by his death, they are proud to know that he performed his duty and willingly gave his life for the flag of his country, our beloved Stars and Stripes.
(Obituary from page 1 of "The Avoca Journal-Herald" dated February 13, 1919.)
Another Gold Star on the Service Flag
William Ray Dyson was born at Walnut, Iowa, December 10, 1889, the son of Alexander and Emma Dyson. He was brought up at his birthplace by his mother's parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Van Buren. He attended the Walnut public schools, where he was known as Rip Van Buren.
He went to Groom, Texas, where he worked three years with his grandfather, for John Bergen on the farm. Later he spent three years at Avoca, Iowa, where he made his home with his mother and where he was employed by Charlie Swartz and William Wasser.
For a year before entering the United States army Ray worked at the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific round house at Valley Junction, Iowa. There he volunteered on June 15, 1917.
He was sent to Camp Cody, New Mexico, where he belonged to Company B, 183 Infantry, 34 division. He was later assigned to Company I, Cody June Auto Replacement Draft Overseas Casuals and sent to Camp Merritt, New Jersey.
He became a member of Company B, 59 Infantry Expeditionary Forces, with whom he went over the top in August. His last letter written November 2, 1918, expressed joy in receiving a bunch of letters from home, stated also that he was doing his duty and mentioned what he anticipated on his return home. He was taken ill, while with the 8th Brigade Relay Company. The official notice received from the War Department gave as the cause of his death, lobar pneumonia on December 31, 1918.
He leaves to mourn his early loss his aged grandfather, now residing with his daughter, Mrs. Ed. Ackert near Prairie Rose, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Towle of Avoca, three brothers, Fred of Millboro, South Dakota, Dwayne and Ben at home and one sister, Mrs. Henry Berge of Hancock, Iowa. Although relatives and friends are saddened by his death, they are proud to know that he performed his duty and willingly gave his life for the flag of his country, our beloved Stars and Stripes.
Another Gold Star on the Service Flag
William Ray Dyson was born at Walnut, Iowa, December 10, 1889, the son of Alexander and Emma Dyson. He was brought up at his birthplace by his mother's parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Van Buren. He attended the Walnut public schools, where he was known as Rip Van Buren.
He went to Groom, Texas, where he worked three years with his grandfather, for John Bergen on the farm. Later he spent three years at Avoca, Iowa, where he made his home with his mother and where he was employed by Charlie Swartz and William Wasser.
For a year before entering the United States army Ray worked at the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific round house at Valley Junction, Iowa. There he volunteered on June 15, 1917.
He was sent to Camp Cody, New Mexico, where he belonged to Company B, 183 Infantry, 34 division. He was later assigned to Company I, Cody June Auto Replacement Draft Overseas Casuals and sent to Camp Merritt, New Jersey.
He became a member of Company B, 59 Infantry Expeditionary Forces, with whom he went over the top in August. His last letter written November 2, 1918, expressed joy in receiving a bunch of letters from home, stated also that he was doing his duty and mentioned what he anticipated on his return home. He was taken ill, while with the 8th Brigade Relay Company. The official notice received from the War Department gave as the cause of his death, lobar pneumonia on December 31, 1918.
He leaves to mourn his early loss his aged grandfather, now residing with his daughter, Mrs. Ed. Ackert near Prairie Rose, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Towle of Avoca, three brothers, Fred of Millboro, South Dakota, Dwayne and Ben at home and one sister, Mrs. Henry Berge of Hancock, Iowa. Although relatives and friends are saddened by his death, they are proud to know that he performed his duty and willingly gave his life for the flag of his country, our beloved Stars and Stripes.
Gravesite Details
Ray is buried in St. Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiaucourt, France.
Family Members
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