Beaverton Historical Society Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
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William F. Dey
Mechanic William F. Dey, son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Dey, was born at Cooney,
Ohio, April 25, 1897. Died April 2, 1919 while with the S.S.U. 582, U.S. army, located at
Adinkerke, Belgium. He came to Gladwin when one year of age, later moving to Saginaw where he
remained for 12 years, returning to Gladwin four years before enlisting in the U.S. army Aug. 15,
1918 for service in the World's War. He was sent to the S.A.T.C. at Ann Arbor where he specialized
in the motor division. From Ann Arbor he was transferred to Camp Crane, Allentown, Pa., Oct. 14,
where he remained in training until notice came to leave for Hoboken, New Jersey. He embarked at
this point and left for overseas duty Nov. 11, 1918, the day the Armistice was signed, the company
not receiving the word until landing at Liverpool, England, Nov. 24.
After seeing duty in England, France, Germany and Belgium, he was finally located at Adinkerke,
Belgium, at which place he was promoted to head mechanic, March 1. An extratct from a letter by First
Lieutenant Geo. L. Wilson, U.S.A. S. commanding Sec. 582 reads as follows:
"He was wonderfully attentive and thorought in his duties and was the Best mechanic in his section."
After a sickness of two days at the hospital at Cabour near Adinkerke he was laid to rest in Foreign
Soldiers cemetery near Dunkirk, being the only American buried at this place, his section putting up a
stone and cross marking the grave, with his name, number and section of the U.S. army.
He was later transferred to a French cemetery for removal to the U.S., arriving in New York, April 3,
1921. He was a member of the Grace Presbyterian church and Y.M.C.A., Saginaw, and a member in good standing
of the I.O.O.F. Gladwin lodge No. 177. He is survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. John Dey, three sisters,
Mrs. Wesley Hawley, Mrs. C. E. Atwater, Edna Dey and two brothers, Ralph of this city and Elmer of Saginaw,
besides a host of relatives and friends.
The remains were brought to Gladwin Thursday night, and funeral services in the Armory Friday were
conducted by Rev. E. T. Smith. The large hall was filled by friends and people of the city to pay their
respect to one who gave his life for his county. The American Legion and I.O.O.F. were well represented.
Interment took place in Highland cemetery. Perry Good, a friend of the deceased, accompanied the body form
Saginaw, and they were met in Pinconning by his brothers, Ralph and Elmer Dey and C. E. Atwater.
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Personal Information
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Death Date
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Burial/Final Location
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Service
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04/02/1919
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Highland Cemetery, Gladwin, MI
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SSU 582 US Army Mechanic WWI
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Publication Information
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Pub. Date
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Publication
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Pub. Page
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04/21/1921
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Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
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P:4 C:4
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Transcription Information
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Date
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Transcribed by
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Source Media
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January 2005
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Tom Ladner
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Microfilm
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