William Ralph Wilson was born on June 9, 1917. He was the second of three children: Clarence, William, and Miriam. His parents, Harry and Lulu lived at Buck Run, Towerville, Bristol, then in 1937 settled in Marshallton, on Strasburg Road. His Father Harry worked as a Forman in the Paper Mill in Buck Run, then later head of stock at the ESCO Cabinet Company in West Chester on West Chestnut Street, where the Sharpless Works is today. The ESCO Cabinet Company, (which purchased the Empire Milking Company), produced milk coolers and milking equipment.

William, who was known to his family as both Ralf or Bill, graduated from Coatesville High School in 1935 (while living in Towerville). He was known as friendly, easy-going, and hard working. William drove a 1939 Ford and worked at ESCO Cabinet Company and the ESCO Farm in Marshallton. The ESCO Farm was a showcase for their milking equipment.

William developed an interest in aviation and obtained a pilot’s license shortly before the war. He attempted to enlist in the Army Air Corps in January after the Pearl Harbor attack, but was rejected because he was underweight. He was later drafted into the Army in April 1943.

William was sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi for basic infantry training. He was sent overseas in November 1942 for the invasion of Italy. He was assigned to Company L, 3^rd Battalion, 141^st Infantry Regiment, of the 36^th "Texas" Division as a replacement.

William landed at Anzio in January 1944. His division was ordered across the Rapido River in rubber rafts to protect the troops on the beachhead. They were to attack the German positions entrenched on the far bank. The Rapido operation was a failure, and the division was devastated. Many never made it across, and those few who did, were killed or captured.

His parents received notification on March 15, 1944 that William was missing. He was listed as Killed In Action on July 27. He was not found and identified until 1949. A Funeral was held at Friendship Methodist Church on March 19, 1949, he was buried in their cemetery. Private William Ralph Wilson was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Medaille Commemorative de la Campagne d’Italie" from France, for his service.