William E. Dryer was born November 10, 1892. He died in World War II in France, on October 21, 1918, at the age of 25. William is buried in the Hesston City Cemetery in Hesston, Kansas.
Buried on Sunday. The funeral services of William E. Dreyer, soldier, who passed away at a base hospital in France were held yesterday afternoon at the Evangelical Church in Hesston, Rev. Young, Pastor of the Church and the American Legion having charge of the services.
William E. Dreyer was born in Loudonville, Ohio, November 10, 1892. He moved with his parents to Hesston about 10 years ago and remained with them on a farm until he entered the Army service, except 2 months, which he spent at Ness City, where he was on the semi-professional baseball team.
he left Newton with the group of selective draft boys, on June 24, 1918, for Camp Funston. Here he was assigned to the 164th Depot Brigde, and after spending about a week there, went to Camp Dodge, where he was transferred to the 337th Field Artillery. After speing only 2 weeks there in July and by September 1, he was in France, after spending a short time in England. He, with half of his company was sent to the front early in October, and it was on the way to the front that he contracted lobular pneumonia, and was sent back to base hospital No. 30, where he passed away on October 21, 1918, just 5 months after leaving Newton, and 3 weeks before the Armistice was signed.
The impressive military services were carried out yesterday in a very beautiful manner by the boys of the American Legion. The pall bearers were his friends in Hesston, and all had served in the war and wore their full dress uniforms. They were: Harry Billau, Jesse Shirks, Paul Pfautz, Deerman Dillman, I.W. Egy, and Menno Billau, the first 2 being among those who left Newton with him, and remained in the same company.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Dreyer of Hesston, one brother, Lewis, of Halstead, and one sister, Mrs. Hearl Egy of Hesston. William was laid to rest in the Hesston Cemeetery by the side of a brother, who was drowned six years ago. The Newton Weekly Kansan-Republican, Newton, Kansas. Monday, June 6, 1921. Page 2.
William’s HCGS Memorial Tribute Database page is found here: William Dreyer
