William Richell 1922 - 1944

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At this grave rests William, one of many young Americans who served proudly during World War II, preparing for a war that stretched across the globe.

William was serving as a Second Lieutenant with the 3036th Base Unit in Arizona, where he worked as an instructor pilot. Rather than flying combat missions overseas, his role was to train other airmen — a responsibility that carried enormous weight. The lives of future crews depended on the skill, judgment, and calm leadership of instructors like William.

While he served, William left behind his wife, Nora, and family in Tonawanda, all anxiously awaiting his return. Nora was herself preparing for a life of service, enrolled in nursing school while her husband was away.

On the night of June 28, 1944, William was aboard a B-17 bomber on a late-night training navigation mission. Somewhere over Arizona, something went terribly wrong. The aircraft crashed into the Gila Mountains, killing everyone on board.

The news devastated William’s family. For his young wife Nora, the loss was overwhelming.

Yet out of that grief came purpose.

In honor of her husband, Nora went on to join the Army Nurse Corps, receiving the rank of Second Lieutenant, the same rank William had held. When asked why she chose to serve, she said simply that she joined because “she wanted to help other girls’ husbands.”

As you stand here, remember that not all wartime losses occur overseas or under enemy fire. Training accidents claimed thousands of lives, often far from the public eye. William’s story reminds us that service, sacrifice, and love for country extended far beyond the battlefield — and that the legacy of one life can inspire another to serve.


Photo and records from ancestry.com


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