GRUNDY ARMY OFFICER CRITICALLY INJURED
(Courier Special Service)

 GRUNDY CENTER Second Lt. William Wilson, 23, of Grundy Center, suffered critical head injuries Tuesday while playing football at Ft. Benning Gas., according to word received by his sister, Mrs., Harm Kruger, also of Grundy Center, who left immediately for the Amy post and was to arrive there Thursday.
   Lieutenant Wilson in unconscious. He made his home here with Mrs. Kruger before he entered the service. His parents are dead,

FORT BENNING, Ga. (AP) --- A 23-year-old second lieutenant from Iowa died at Fort Benning hospital of a head injury received last week in a practice scrimmage with the 508th Red Devils football team, the public information office said Monday.
   He was identified as 2nd Lt. William F. Wilson of the 508th airborne regimental combat team,
   Wilson was injured Oct. 6 during a practice scrimmage and remained unconscious until he died Sunday.
   The young officer suffered a brain concussion which caused a blood clot.
   His next of kin was listed as Mrs. Vera Mae Kruger of Grundy Center, Wilson's home.

[The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, 12 Oct 1953, Mon, Page 8]

Grid Injury Fatal for Lt. Wilson
(Courier Special Service)

   GRUNDY CENTER - Second Lt. William Wilson, 23, of Grundy Center, who was injured a week ago Monday in a scrimmage at Ft. Benning, Ga., where he was stationed, died at 4:20 p. m. Sunday in the hospital on the base of an internal hemorrhage of the brain.
   He was hurt while blocking. He reported again for practice Tuesday but complained of a severe headache, collapsed on the way to the hospital and had been unconscious since.
   Lieutenant Wilson was born Sept. 22, 1930, at Grundy Center. He was graduated from Grundy Center high school in 1948. He was a star athlete and was quarterback on the football team. He also was a member of vocal groups and was in the high school band.
   He attended University of Iowa at Iowa City four years, graduating in June, 1952, with a commission as second lieutenant in the officers reserve.
   In the same month Lieutenant Wilson was sent to Ft. Benning as an instructor in hand to hand combat and bayoneting. He also was jumpmaster of the paratroop division of the army.
   Lieutenant Wilson was a member of the Methodist Church here and the choir.
   Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Harm Kruger, Grundy Center, with whom he made his home, and Mrs. A. P. Smith, Lancaster, Wis.
   He was preceded in death by his father, William, Sr.. in 1948; his mother in 1942, and a sister, Mrs. Marjorie Petersen, in November, 1946. The body will be brought to the Ferree funeral home here under military escort, pending funeral arrangements.

[The Courier, Waterloo, IA, 12 Oct 1953, Mon, Page 8]

[courtesy of "Couple of Gravers]

Grave marker for 2nd Lt William F. Wilson,: Section E, Lot 7, Space 4, Rose Hill Cemetery, Grundy Center (Grundy county), Iowa.

Lt Wilson died of a blood clot in his brain as a result of a concussion received during a 508th football team practice scrimmage.