William Thomas Ives was born in Wapella, Illinois on April 14, 1919. He was the son of Joy Lester and Ruth (Scott) Ives. William T. Ives graduated from Wapella High School, Wapella Illinois in 1936. Upon graduation he attended the Illinois State Normal School from 1936 to 1930 and then attended the University of Illinois graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1940. William T. Ives married Jeannette Kolp of Clinton, Illinois on July 27, 1941. The two raised their daughter Billie Joy. William worked as a teacher for two and a half years teaching physical education, agriculture, and as an assistant coach for the football and basketball teams at Decatur High School, Decatur Indiana. William enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on June 24, 1942. William became an air-cade on January 9, 1943. He received his training at air fields in San Antonio, Texas and Fredericks, Oklahoma. William was killed along with another air-cadet in a trainer plane at Fredericks, Oklahoma on September 25, 1943. William was within six weeks of having acquired his wings and second lieutenancy-ship before his fatal crash.William' wings were later awarded to his widow Jeannette. Upon Williams' death, Jeannette moved back to Clinton, Illinois where William is buried. For his service, Cadet Ives earned the American Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Information collected and researched by Derek Sommer, 2014.
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Publications, Student, ed. Ravelings Yearbook. Decatur, IN: Decatur High School, 1944. Print.
Publications, Student, ed. Ravelings Yearbook. Decatur, IN: Decatur High School, 1943. Print.