In Memory Of

William J. Edwards (also known as Capt. Bill), 82, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, passed away on April 29, 2005. He was Born in Harrisville, Michigan on August 15, 1922.

He joined the Marines during WWII serving the ‘Pacific Theatre’ (Solomon Islands and Guadal Canal). Later Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division; was the 2nd ‘wave’ landing on Iwo Jima among heavy enemy fire Feb 1945. There he was wounded March 9, 1945, survived a near fatal bullet wound by enemy forces; recipient of many honors including a Purple Heart. After returning to Detroit, met and married Virginia Dunne in 1947, later graduating from University of Detroit in 1951. He went on to become owner of General Insurance Agency in Detroit for 27 years. After retirement, he moved to Florida by sailing his 30’ Sailboat from Belle Isle, MI to Ft Lauderdale in 1979. There he obtained a U.S. Coast Guard Captains License doing charter work & sailing the Caribbean waters for several years.

Per his daughter, Barbara, "He got shot twice in the back at Iwo Jima. One of the bullets was an inch from his heart. He had a scar about 4" long on the left side of his upper back. The Japs were underground, popped up after the Marines charged uphill over them and shot them in the backs. He received a Purple Heart."

He is survived by his eight adult children: Thomas, Kathryn, Barbara, Charles, Monica, Bill, Patricia, Eileen and 15 grandchildren. 

Burial was held on May 19th at Arlington National Cometary in Arlington, Virginia.