Hildebrand, Willis Roy (1932-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Sep 28 p. 4

Birth date: 1932

text of obituary:

— Willis Roy Hildebrand, 18 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hildebrand of Goessel, was killed Tuesday morning a little before 8:00 o'clock when a sewage ditch caved in on Old Main street, Newton. The west wall of the nine foot ditch fell in, covering him completely and trapping another worker, Clyde Hollingsworth of Atlanta, who suffered minor injuries. Both were employed by Rhodes construction company, and had entered the ditch to uncover the end of some pipe. Funeral services for Willis will be held Thursday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church, of which he was a member. The youth was a graduate of the Goessel Rural high school, and is the second member of the class to lose his life in an accident. Willard Unruh was killed in an auto accident shortly after graduation.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Oct 26 p. 6

text of obituary:

WILLIS ROY HILDEBRANDT [sic HILDEBRAND]

Willis Roy Hildebrandt {sic Hildebrand], only son of Bernhardt [sic Bernhard] and Selma Warkentin Hildebrandt {sic Hildebrand], was born May 29, 1932, at Goessel, Kans. He was a robust and healthy boy and brought much joy and happiness into the home.

He finished his elementary training in the Green Valley school in 1946 and then began his high school education in the same year. He graduated from the Goessel Rural high school with the class of 1950. One of his great interests in high school was athletics, in which he helped to bring many honors to the school.

After his graduation he started to work in various localities in the harvest, after which he began work with the Rhoades Construction Co. On Sept. 26, at 8:30 in the morning while working in the sewer ditch that was being made by the company in the city of Newton, the ditch suddenly collapsed, covering him with the shale substance and he was crushed to death.

Thus ended a life with a hopeful future. Man sometimes no sooner comes forth than he is cut down—he comes forth into the world and enters into the business of it, then he is hurried away when he has scarcely begun.

On May 25, 1943, he was baptized upon confession of faith in his Redeemer Jesus Christ by Rev. Philip A. Wedel and became a member of the Alexanderwohl church, where he remained a faithful member until his untimely death. He reached the age of 18 years, three months, and 29 days.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bernhard Hildebrandt [sic Hildebrand], and his sister, Deloris Eva of the home, his girl friend, Geneva Schroeder, his grandmother and grandfather, Mr. and Mrs. B. R. Schmidt, Newton, Kans., two uncles, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Warkentin, Newton and Mr. and Mrs. Jake Hildebrandt [sic Hildebrand] of Wichita, Kans.. three aunts, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Reimer, Hesston, Mr. and Mrs. David Nickel, Hillsboro, Mrs. John Foth of Walton, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Conrath of Medford, Okla. and many other relatives and friends.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20. This verse of Scripture was the motto that Willis used for his life. It was his baptism motto and we believe it was also his motto and security in the hour of death.

Funeral services were held in the Bergen funeral home on Thursday afternoon, Sept 28, with the pastor. Rev. P. A. Wedel, in charge assisted by Rev. H. B. Schmidt who brought the message. The high school gave three numbers of music. Later services were held In the Alexanderwohl church with Rev. Philip A Wedel in charge.