Willis I. Linton, 91, of Monticello passed away at 1 a.m. Sunday (July 6, 2014) at home.
He was born April 21, 1923, at Guysville, Ohio, a son of Claire D. and Mildred L. Miller Linton. He married Irene Markley Giddings on Nov. 9, 1990, at Monticello. She preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 2009.
He is survived by two stepsons, Guy (Esther) Giddings of Monticello and Thomas (Nancy) Giddings of Hemet, Calif., and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a stepson, Charles (Judy) Giddings.
Willis was retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service.
According to his wishes, he will be cremated. Burial will be at a later date in Monticello Cemetery. |
[courtesy of Max Turpin]
Grave Marker for Willis I. Linton
in Monticello Cemetery, Monticello (Piatt county),
Illinois.
Willis enlisted in the Army ca.
January 1943 in Indiana.
Pvt Linton was transferred from
the 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters on 1
September 1944 to Company E, 508th PIR. He was
promoted to Pfc a month later.
Pfc Linton was wounded in action
in Holland on 2 October 1944, he returned to duty on
13 November.
He reported as missing in action
in Belgium on 25 December 1944 but by 5 January was
accounted for. He was wounded a second time
just 4 days later on 9 January 1945. He
returned to duty on 10 February 1945.
His military decorations include
the Purple Heart with 1 OLC and the Bronze Service
arrowhead device for the Holland campaign and
Airborne operations.
based on his headstone inscription
he attained the rank of First Sergeant sometime
after the above events. |
