William Leroy Drew III (1917 - 2007)

Born 1917 in Bourne, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Died 2007 at about age 90 in Massachusetts, United States

Biography

William Leroy Drew III, known as Bill Drew, was born in 1917 and died in 2007. ^[1]

His father died when Bill was young. In 1930 Bill, then 13 years old, can be seen with his mother and siblings in the household of his step-father Emery Tompkins. ^[2]

The 1940 Census at Hyannisport shows William E. (typo ?) Drew age 23 with young wife Rita and niece named Barbara Levine. ^[3]

In 1942 the couple lost a baby boy and years later they would be buried together in a shared gravestone. ^[4]

In 1943 Bill enlisted in the War effort. ^[5]

Bill married Rita Ann Burke.

Obituary ^[6]

Published in Cape Cod Times on Jul. 24, 2007.

HYANNIS - William Leroy Drew III, beloved husband of the late Rita (Burke) Drew for 59 years, passed away on July 22, 2007, after a short illness.

Born in Bourne, Bill lived his whole life on Cape Cod, save for his service in World War II. He graduated from the Barnstable High School, Class of 1935. Bill was the Captain of the Barnstable High School team in 1935.

He was an avid Red Sox fan and was also a stamp and coin collector.

Bill was a decorated World War II Veteran. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corp, 758th Bombardment Squadron. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the FAME Theater Medal w/ 5 Bronze Stars & the Good Conduct Medal.

Bill coached the 1952 Scudder & Taylor Barnstable Little League Team. The team was the first league Champion in the first Little League established in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

He also served on the Town of Barnstable Finance Committee for many years.

Bill has been a Member of the Federated Church of Hyannis for 76 years. He and Rita were active in the Couples Club. Bill has also been a Member of the Fraternal Lodge AF & AM for 66 years. He was active in De-Mo-Lay and the Hi-Y Club.

Bill is survived by a half sister and many nieces and nephews.

A service celebrating his life will be held at the Federated Church of Hyannis at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by his interment at the Oak Neck Cemetery and a reception back at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Federated Church of Hyannis, the Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation or the VNA of Cape Cod Hospice would be greatly appreciated.

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204639289/william-leroy-drew
2. ↑ 1930 US Census at Barnstable, Massachusetts
3. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89M1-3W1T?i=10&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AK465-91K
4. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204639374/baby-boy-drew
5. ↑ 1943 WWII Enlistment Index
6. ↑ Cape Cod Times Obit posted on Legacy.com