William Lee Aldridge was born in 1922 in Cannelton, IN to George and Mabel (Adams) Aldridge.
"Bill was outgoing, friendly, easy to talk to and one of the nicest guys that you could ever meet", a quote from his sister, Sally (Aldridge) Cabage.
From 1929-1932 the Aldridges rented a house at 516 Adams (razed in the 1950's). Wib's daughter, Sally stated that this house looked similar to the two story house at 515 Adams (historic residence, which was still standing as of 11/2014).
1933 they rented a house at 210 4th Street.
1934 they lived at the Knights of Columbus home on 3rd Street (still standing as of 11/2014).
1935 His father's job with the Southern Railroad was relocated to Mt. Vernon, IL. The Aldridges rented a living space above Mr. Ripey's produce store, located at 509 Main St (still standing as of 11/2014), Mount Vernon, IL.
In the Fall of 1936, his father's job was moved from Mount Vernon, IL to Tell City, IN. The Aldridges were excited to be be moving closer to home, Cannelton. They relocated and rented a house at 407 12th Street in Tell City.
Bill was a talented athlete in basketball and baseball, which earned him a spot on the 1936 Tell City Marksmen's Junior Varsity teams. Due to his small stature, he was given the nickname "smallfry".
1937 January: Bill was 14 years old. The Great Ohio River Flood destroyed most of the towns from Pittsburgh, PA to Cairo, IL (This includes Tell City, Cannelton, Hawesville, Evansville, Cincinnati and Louisville). Over a million people were left homeless and jobless, with property losses reaching $500 million ($8 billion in 2012 dollars). Federal and state resources could not aid in recovery, as the disaster occurred during the depths of the Great Depression. (worldwide economic depression lasting from 1929 to 1939). Without government financial aid or flood insurance, the rebuilding of homes and business' was put on hold. The water level in Evansville was at 54 feet. Cincinnati's at 80 feet and Louisville, Ky at 57 feet. Water levels did not fall back into the normal range for three weeks. Fortunately, the Aldridge home was located on top of the 12th Street hill, in Tell City or the flood would have taken what few belongings that they had.
The Tell City and Cannelton Southern Railroad stations, which were built near the Ohio River were demolished by the fast moving flood water, leaving Bill's father without a job. The Aldridges had minimum income and maximum needs. Bill's older brother Joe dropped out of high school to help pay the bills for the struggling family. When the waters receded Joe found work at the Tell City Chair Co. The needs of the family prevented Joe from finishing his education.
In the Summer of 1937, the Aldridge family moved back home to Cannelton and Bill continued his athletic career with the Cannelton High School Bulldogs. Cannelton and Tell City were (and always will be) BITTER RIVALS and the Marksmen watched in envy as their "smallfry" grew in stature and talent (by senior year Bill was 6 feet tall). An article in the Tell City newspaper's sports section stated that Bill is still called "smallfry" but that he is a big fish in Cannelton.
Bill's favorite basketball shot was named "the big bertha", a shot that he took from beyond the free-throw line, and Bill was deadly accurate with it. Smallfry armed with the "big bertha" won many a game for the Cannelton Bulldogs.
Bill graduated from Cannelton High School in 1940. He played semi-pro baseball for the Tell City Grays as a left handed, power hitting first baseman.
January 1940, Bill's Grandmother, Sarah Sapp passed away.
March 30, 1941, Bill's brother, Joe passed away.
Bill enlisted in the Navy on Jan 23, 1942, to fight in WW II. He served in Alaska, at the Kodiak Naval station, till Dec 13, 1945, when he returned home to Cannelton.
Bill's sister, Sally was the Perry County Deputy Treasurer and in June of 1946 she vacated her position for her brother; as she planned for her marriage. Bill completed her duties as Perry County Deputy Treasurer From till December 31, 1948.
On October 14, 1947 he was united in marriage to miss Virginia Arnold, at St Paul's Catholic Church in Tell City.
June 21, 1949, Bill's father passed away.
Bill worked for General Electric Corp. from 1949 - 1985 (36 years) as a buyer in the Motor Division. He was a member of St Paul's Catholic Church, VFW Post 2939, Harry G. Myers American Legion Post 142, and the Perry county Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
February 16, 1984, Bill's mother passed away.
September 11, 1990, Bill's brother, Bob passed away.
Bill passed away on February 12, 1991 in Tell City, IN. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Joseph & Robert Aldridge. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Virginia; two sons, William Dean of Albermarle, N.C. and Joseph of Bloomington, IN; three daughters, Mrs. Charles (Cynthia) Scheidegger of Evansville, IN, Mrs. Donald (Rebecca) Sturgeon of Newburgh, IN and Mrs. Brian (Lori) Cassidy of Tell City, IN; a sister, Mrs. Chester (Sally) Cabage of Evansville, IN and nine grandchildren.
"Bill was outgoing, friendly, easy to talk to and one of the nicest guys that you could ever meet", a quote from his sister, Sally (Aldridge) Cabage.
From 1929-1932 the Aldridges rented a house at 516 Adams (razed in the 1950's). Wib's daughter, Sally stated that this house looked similar to the two story house at 515 Adams (historic residence, which was still standing as of 11/2014).
1933 they rented a house at 210 4th Street.
1934 they lived at the Knights of Columbus home on 3rd Street (still standing as of 11/2014).
1935 His father's job with the Southern Railroad was relocated to Mt. Vernon, IL. The Aldridges rented a living space above Mr. Ripey's produce store, located at 509 Main St (still standing as of 11/2014), Mount Vernon, IL.
In the Fall of 1936, his father's job was moved from Mount Vernon, IL to Tell City, IN. The Aldridges were excited to be be moving closer to home, Cannelton. They relocated and rented a house at 407 12th Street in Tell City.
Bill was a talented athlete in basketball and baseball, which earned him a spot on the 1936 Tell City Marksmen's Junior Varsity teams. Due to his small stature, he was given the nickname "smallfry".
1937 January: Bill was 14 years old. The Great Ohio River Flood destroyed most of the towns from Pittsburgh, PA to Cairo, IL (This includes Tell City, Cannelton, Hawesville, Evansville, Cincinnati and Louisville). Over a million people were left homeless and jobless, with property losses reaching $500 million ($8 billion in 2012 dollars). Federal and state resources could not aid in recovery, as the disaster occurred during the depths of the Great Depression. (worldwide economic depression lasting from 1929 to 1939). Without government financial aid or flood insurance, the rebuilding of homes and business' was put on hold. The water level in Evansville was at 54 feet. Cincinnati's at 80 feet and Louisville, Ky at 57 feet. Water levels did not fall back into the normal range for three weeks. Fortunately, the Aldridge home was located on top of the 12th Street hill, in Tell City or the flood would have taken what few belongings that they had.
The Tell City and Cannelton Southern Railroad stations, which were built near the Ohio River were demolished by the fast moving flood water, leaving Bill's father without a job. The Aldridges had minimum income and maximum needs. Bill's older brother Joe dropped out of high school to help pay the bills for the struggling family. When the waters receded Joe found work at the Tell City Chair Co. The needs of the family prevented Joe from finishing his education.
In the Summer of 1937, the Aldridge family moved back home to Cannelton and Bill continued his athletic career with the Cannelton High School Bulldogs. Cannelton and Tell City were (and always will be) BITTER RIVALS and the Marksmen watched in envy as their "smallfry" grew in stature and talent (by senior year Bill was 6 feet tall). An article in the Tell City newspaper's sports section stated that Bill is still called "smallfry" but that he is a big fish in Cannelton.
Bill's favorite basketball shot was named "the big bertha", a shot that he took from beyond the free-throw line, and Bill was deadly accurate with it. Smallfry armed with the "big bertha" won many a game for the Cannelton Bulldogs.
Bill graduated from Cannelton High School in 1940. He played semi-pro baseball for the Tell City Grays as a left handed, power hitting first baseman.
January 1940, Bill's Grandmother, Sarah Sapp passed away.
March 30, 1941, Bill's brother, Joe passed away.
Bill enlisted in the Navy on Jan 23, 1942, to fight in WW II. He served in Alaska, at the Kodiak Naval station, till Dec 13, 1945, when he returned home to Cannelton.
Bill's sister, Sally was the Perry County Deputy Treasurer and in June of 1946 she vacated her position for her brother; as she planned for her marriage. Bill completed her duties as Perry County Deputy Treasurer From till December 31, 1948.
On October 14, 1947 he was united in marriage to miss Virginia Arnold, at St Paul's Catholic Church in Tell City.
June 21, 1949, Bill's father passed away.
Bill worked for General Electric Corp. from 1949 - 1985 (36 years) as a buyer in the Motor Division. He was a member of St Paul's Catholic Church, VFW Post 2939, Harry G. Myers American Legion Post 142, and the Perry county Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
February 16, 1984, Bill's mother passed away.
September 11, 1990, Bill's brother, Bob passed away.
Bill passed away on February 12, 1991 in Tell City, IN. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Joseph & Robert Aldridge. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Virginia; two sons, William Dean of Albermarle, N.C. and Joseph of Bloomington, IN; three daughters, Mrs. Charles (Cynthia) Scheidegger of Evansville, IN, Mrs. Donald (Rebecca) Sturgeon of Newburgh, IN and Mrs. Brian (Lori) Cassidy of Tell City, IN; a sister, Mrs. Chester (Sally) Cabage of Evansville, IN and nine grandchildren.
William Lee Aldridge was born in 1922 in Cannelton, IN to George and Mabel (Adams) Aldridge.
"Bill was outgoing, friendly, easy to talk to and one of the nicest guys that you could ever meet", a quote from his sister, Sally (Aldridge) Cabage.
From 1929-1932 the Aldridges rented a house at 516 Adams (razed in the 1950's). Wib's daughter, Sally stated that this house looked similar to the two story house at 515 Adams (historic residence, which was still standing as of 11/2014).
1933 they rented a house at 210 4th Street.
1934 they lived at the Knights of Columbus home on 3rd Street (still standing as of 11/2014).
1935 His father's job with the Southern Railroad was relocated to Mt. Vernon, IL. The Aldridges rented a living space above Mr. Ripey's produce store, located at 509 Main St (still standing as of 11/2014), Mount Vernon, IL.
In the Fall of 1936, his father's job was moved from Mount Vernon, IL to Tell City, IN. The Aldridges were excited to be be moving closer to home, Cannelton. They relocated and rented a house at 407 12th Street in Tell City.
Bill was a talented athlete in basketball and baseball, which earned him a spot on the 1936 Tell City Marksmen's Junior Varsity teams. Due to his small stature, he was given the nickname "smallfry".
1937 January: Bill was 14 years old. The Great Ohio River Flood destroyed most of the towns from Pittsburgh, PA to Cairo, IL (This includes Tell City, Cannelton, Hawesville, Evansville, Cincinnati and Louisville). Over a million people were left homeless and jobless, with property losses reaching $500 million ($8 billion in 2012 dollars). Federal and state resources could not aid in recovery, as the disaster occurred during the depths of the Great Depression. (worldwide economic depression lasting from 1929 to 1939). Without government financial aid or flood insurance, the rebuilding of homes and business' was put on hold. The water level in Evansville was at 54 feet. Cincinnati's at 80 feet and Louisville, Ky at 57 feet. Water levels did not fall back into the normal range for three weeks. Fortunately, the Aldridge home was located on top of the 12th Street hill, in Tell City or the flood would have taken what few belongings that they had.
The Tell City and Cannelton Southern Railroad stations, which were built near the Ohio River were demolished by the fast moving flood water, leaving Bill's father without a job. The Aldridges had minimum income and maximum needs. Bill's older brother Joe dropped out of high school to help pay the bills for the struggling family. When the waters receded Joe found work at the Tell City Chair Co. The needs of the family prevented Joe from finishing his education.
In the Summer of 1937, the Aldridge family moved back home to Cannelton and Bill continued his athletic career with the Cannelton High School Bulldogs. Cannelton and Tell City were (and always will be) BITTER RIVALS and the Marksmen watched in envy as their "smallfry" grew in stature and talent (by senior year Bill was 6 feet tall). An article in the Tell City newspaper's sports section stated that Bill is still called "smallfry" but that he is a big fish in Cannelton.
Bill's favorite basketball shot was named "the big bertha", a shot that he took from beyond the free-throw line, and Bill was deadly accurate with it. Smallfry armed with the "big bertha" won many a game for the Cannelton Bulldogs.
Bill graduated from Cannelton High School in 1940. He played semi-pro baseball for the Tell City Grays as a left handed, power hitting first baseman.
January 1940, Bill's Grandmother, Sarah Sapp passed away.
March 30, 1941, Bill's brother, Joe passed away.
Bill enlisted in the Navy on Jan 23, 1942, to fight in WW II. He served in Alaska, at the Kodiak Naval station, till Dec 13, 1945, when he returned home to Cannelton.
Bill's sister, Sally was the Perry County Deputy Treasurer and in June of 1946 she vacated her position for her brother; as she planned for her marriage. Bill completed her duties as Perry County Deputy Treasurer From till December 31, 1948.
On October 14, 1947 he was united in marriage to miss Virginia Arnold, at St Paul's Catholic Church in Tell City.
June 21, 1949, Bill's father passed away.
Bill worked for General Electric Corp. from 1949 - 1985 (36 years) as a buyer in the Motor Division. He was a member of St Paul's Catholic Church, VFW Post 2939, Harry G. Myers American Legion Post 142, and the Perry county Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
February 16, 1984, Bill's mother passed away.
September 11, 1990, Bill's brother, Bob passed away.
Bill passed away on February 12, 1991 in Tell City, IN. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Joseph & Robert Aldridge. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Virginia; two sons, William Dean of Albermarle, N.C. and Joseph of Bloomington, IN; three daughters, Mrs. Charles (Cynthia) Scheidegger of Evansville, IN, Mrs. Donald (Rebecca) Sturgeon of Newburgh, IN and Mrs. Brian (Lori) Cassidy of Tell City, IN; a sister, Mrs. Chester (Sally) Cabage of Evansville, IN and nine grandchildren.
"Bill was outgoing, friendly, easy to talk to and one of the nicest guys that you could ever meet", a quote from his sister, Sally (Aldridge) Cabage.
From 1929-1932 the Aldridges rented a house at 516 Adams (razed in the 1950's). Wib's daughter, Sally stated that this house looked similar to the two story house at 515 Adams (historic residence, which was still standing as of 11/2014).
1933 they rented a house at 210 4th Street.
1934 they lived at the Knights of Columbus home on 3rd Street (still standing as of 11/2014).
1935 His father's job with the Southern Railroad was relocated to Mt. Vernon, IL. The Aldridges rented a living space above Mr. Ripey's produce store, located at 509 Main St (still standing as of 11/2014), Mount Vernon, IL.
In the Fall of 1936, his father's job was moved from Mount Vernon, IL to Tell City, IN. The Aldridges were excited to be be moving closer to home, Cannelton. They relocated and rented a house at 407 12th Street in Tell City.
Bill was a talented athlete in basketball and baseball, which earned him a spot on the 1936 Tell City Marksmen's Junior Varsity teams. Due to his small stature, he was given the nickname "smallfry".
1937 January: Bill was 14 years old. The Great Ohio River Flood destroyed most of the towns from Pittsburgh, PA to Cairo, IL (This includes Tell City, Cannelton, Hawesville, Evansville, Cincinnati and Louisville). Over a million people were left homeless and jobless, with property losses reaching $500 million ($8 billion in 2012 dollars). Federal and state resources could not aid in recovery, as the disaster occurred during the depths of the Great Depression. (worldwide economic depression lasting from 1929 to 1939). Without government financial aid or flood insurance, the rebuilding of homes and business' was put on hold. The water level in Evansville was at 54 feet. Cincinnati's at 80 feet and Louisville, Ky at 57 feet. Water levels did not fall back into the normal range for three weeks. Fortunately, the Aldridge home was located on top of the 12th Street hill, in Tell City or the flood would have taken what few belongings that they had.
The Tell City and Cannelton Southern Railroad stations, which were built near the Ohio River were demolished by the fast moving flood water, leaving Bill's father without a job. The Aldridges had minimum income and maximum needs. Bill's older brother Joe dropped out of high school to help pay the bills for the struggling family. When the waters receded Joe found work at the Tell City Chair Co. The needs of the family prevented Joe from finishing his education.
In the Summer of 1937, the Aldridge family moved back home to Cannelton and Bill continued his athletic career with the Cannelton High School Bulldogs. Cannelton and Tell City were (and always will be) BITTER RIVALS and the Marksmen watched in envy as their "smallfry" grew in stature and talent (by senior year Bill was 6 feet tall). An article in the Tell City newspaper's sports section stated that Bill is still called "smallfry" but that he is a big fish in Cannelton.
Bill's favorite basketball shot was named "the big bertha", a shot that he took from beyond the free-throw line, and Bill was deadly accurate with it. Smallfry armed with the "big bertha" won many a game for the Cannelton Bulldogs.
Bill graduated from Cannelton High School in 1940. He played semi-pro baseball for the Tell City Grays as a left handed, power hitting first baseman.
January 1940, Bill's Grandmother, Sarah Sapp passed away.
March 30, 1941, Bill's brother, Joe passed away.
Bill enlisted in the Navy on Jan 23, 1942, to fight in WW II. He served in Alaska, at the Kodiak Naval station, till Dec 13, 1945, when he returned home to Cannelton.
Bill's sister, Sally was the Perry County Deputy Treasurer and in June of 1946 she vacated her position for her brother; as she planned for her marriage. Bill completed her duties as Perry County Deputy Treasurer From till December 31, 1948.
On October 14, 1947 he was united in marriage to miss Virginia Arnold, at St Paul's Catholic Church in Tell City.
June 21, 1949, Bill's father passed away.
Bill worked for General Electric Corp. from 1949 - 1985 (36 years) as a buyer in the Motor Division. He was a member of St Paul's Catholic Church, VFW Post 2939, Harry G. Myers American Legion Post 142, and the Perry county Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
February 16, 1984, Bill's mother passed away.
September 11, 1990, Bill's brother, Bob passed away.
Bill passed away on February 12, 1991 in Tell City, IN. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Joseph & Robert Aldridge. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Virginia; two sons, William Dean of Albermarle, N.C. and Joseph of Bloomington, IN; three daughters, Mrs. Charles (Cynthia) Scheidegger of Evansville, IN, Mrs. Donald (Rebecca) Sturgeon of Newburgh, IN and Mrs. Brian (Lori) Cassidy of Tell City, IN; a sister, Mrs. Chester (Sally) Cabage of Evansville, IN and nine grandchildren.
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