Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1957 Lucky Bag:

WILLIAM KENNETH WEAVER

Willie, a “Cards” fan (baseball that is), hailed from “Crime Incorporated” northwest of the Everglades. His love for sports was only exceeded by his love for a young Florida belle, who has worn his pin for four years. Not a language enthusiast, Willie held the all time record for the lowest mark on a Spanish exam. Rarely left empty-handed at mail call, Willie could always be found right after the formation bell in his room — dressing. Willie’s plans for the future include marriage and a commission in the Marine Corps, and with his persistence and grand personality, he can’t miss — North or South of that Mason-Dixon Line.

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He was also a member of the 6th Company staff (winter) and the Brigade Hop Committee.

Loss

William was lost on February 11, 1959 when his aircraft crashed near Pensacola, Florida.

Other Information

From the April 1959 issue of Shipmate:

I have just learned of the death of William K. Weaver, our beloved classmate. Bill was stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Florida. His AD6 Skyraider crashed on a bank of the St. Johns River on Wednesday, 11 February 1959. Those of us who knew Bill can realize what a tremendous loss his death must have been to his widow, Jerry, and his eight-month-old son, William, Jr.

Unable to determine which squadron he was a member of; the aircraft he was piloting (Bu. No. 134481) belonged to a Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 331.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Former Plant High School football star … graduated in 1952. While at Plant he was named to the all-city football team, and was a member of the Pantharilla, president of the Letterman’s Club, twice president of his classroom, a member of the Plant High Hall of Fame and Key Club, and in his senior year was voted most popular boy in his class.

William invited his future wife Jerry Garman to the Thanksgiving holiday festivities in 1955. She was named “Drag of the Week” and her picture appeared in a December issue of The Log.

In July 1958, William completed the gunnery and carrier qualifications phase of naval flight training at Barin Field Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Foley, Alabama.

In addition to his wife and parents [James and Dorothy], he is survived by an eight month old son, William Kenneth Weaver, Jr.; a sister, Peggy Weaver, a brother Lt. James Robert Weaver, Williams Air Force Base, Ariz.; and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. J. A. Bridges.

Note: When his son was born in May 19, 1958, William was transferred from Pensacola to Corpus Christi.

He is buried in Florida with his wife.

Photographs

From the Tampa Times on June 17, 1957

From The Tampa Tribune on November 29, 1951

From The Tampa Tribune on April 8, 1951

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Kurt Gareiss ‘57 was also in 6th Company Leadership for the winter set. Wallace Mechling ‘57 and Richard Hartman ‘57 were also members of 6th Company.