Pvt Joe William

Our Hometown Heroes

Joe William

Within a Month Spanish Flu Claimed Another Soldier

Joe William was a little over 24 years old when he was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve his country in World War 1. Born in Griffin in August, 1893, Joe William reported to duty in Washington, D.C. on October 8, 1917. From there William would head overseas. But a long life was not to be. The Spanish Flu plague claimed another victim on June, 5, 1918. Officially listed as “acute military tuberculosis” William’s step-father, Clark Underwood, of Cataula, was notified of the death.

Joe William was black, forgotten, andwas not listed on the Veterans Memorial Park World War I Monument.Forgotten until now.

This changed during the Memorial Day weekend, May 29-30, 2016 as William and other, “Lost and Forgotten,” World War I soldiers were honored with individual plaques and their names on the Veterans Memorial Park “Doughboy” statue. Thanks to efforts of Griffin Archivist Cynthia Barton, the Veterans Military Affairs and Honor our KIA committees, Joe William is now remembered as one of Griffin-Spalding’s Hometown Heroes.

An individual plaque honoring Joe William will be installed in Griffin’s Historic District sponsored by Stuart Ogletree and his State Farm Insurance agency.