James J Lillard

1919 - 1944  (25 years)

• Name	James J Lillard
  Nickname	Jimmy
  Born	17 Jul 1919	Valencia, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Gender	Male
  Died	14 Nov 1944	Lorraine, France
  Buried	Rossville Cemetery, Rossville, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Person ID	I5326	Rossville
  Last Modified	8 Apr 2020

  
  

  Father	James Monroe Lillard,   b. 8 Sep 1877, Rossville, Shawnee County, Kansas ,   d. 31 Oct 1951, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas  (Age 74 years)
  Mother	Myrtle Marney Lillard,   b. 14 Apr 1886, St. Marys, Pottawatomie County, Kansas ,   d. 22 Jul 1979, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas  (Age 93 years)
  Married	18 Apr 1906	Rossville, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Family ID	F4497	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Died - 14 Nov 1944 - Lorraine, France  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Documents		Obituary- Lillard, James J. WITH OUR BOYS IN UNCLE SAM’S ARMED FORCES JIMMIE LILLARD KILLED IN ACTION The news that long has been dreaded, came officially Monday of the first loss of a local soldier boy in this war. Sgt. James J. Lillard, of the Infantry, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Lillard, was the first to go. He was killed in France November 14, according to a wire from the War Department. Prior to his death he had been wounded August 10, but rejoined his company in October. He was awarded the Purple Heart decoration for gallantry in action at that time, and had sent it home to his parents a few weeks ago. Jimmie was born July 17, 1919, while his parents lived on the old Alter farm at Valencia. He attended grade school at Valencia, Junior High at Silver Lake, and graduated from Silver Lake High in 1936. He enlisted February 17, 1941, and after a long period of training in various camps, was sent overseas in May of this year. Jimmie while spending his school days in another community, soon became a popular member of the Rossville young people circles, took an active part in baseball and basketball, being above the average in skill in both sports. New, words seem banal in trying to express the heartfelt sympathy and sorrow of the people of the community to the bereaved relatives in the loss of an only son and brother. Besides his parents, he is survived by three sisters, Mrs. J. M. Lister, Atlanta, Ga.; Mildred Elvin, Topeka and Margie of the home. Staff Sgt. James J. Lillard, twenty-five-year-old infantryman with the Thirty-fifth Division, was killed in action in France November 14, the War Department has notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Lillard, of Rossville. Sergeant Lillard enlisted in the Army in February, 1941, and went overseas last May. He received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action August 10 and went back into action with his company in October. Besides his parents, Lillard is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Mildred Elvin, 1122 College; Mrs. J, M. Lister, Atlanta, Ga., and Margie Lillard, a senior in Rossville High School.
  		Obituary- Lillard, James J. 2 Sgt. James Lillard Rites The people of Rossville and surrounding communities turned out in vast numbers Monday, including relatives and friends who gathered at the Methodist Church to pay tribute to the memory of the late Staff Sgt. James Lillard, one of four of our young men of Rossville and surrounding areas who paid with their lives for the last World War. Rev. Earl O. Harbour, pastor of the Methodist Church conducted the service at 2 o’clock. He was assisted by the Chaplain of Maple Hill Post American Legion. Music was furnished by Mrs. Grace Rogers, of Dover, who sang ‘Abide With Me," and “In the Beautiful Garden of Prayer.” Mrs. Irene Campbell accompanied at the piano. Pallbearers were Messrs. Ora McClain, Henry Lillard, Dale Davis, Jeff Banner, William Jeffrey and George Mongold. Burial was in Rossville Cemetery, where scores of other friends, who could not find space in the church, gathered for the graveside rites. Sgt. Lillard was killed in action, Nov 14, 1944, in Lorraine, France. An only son he was very devoted to his parents and popular with a wide circle of young people. He made friends with all whom he came in contact. The Maple Hill American Legion Post, attended the service in a body and had charge of the graveside service at the request of the government authorities. The Post firing squad fired the salute and Jackie McClellan of Maple Hill sounded taps. The people of Rossville and surrounding communities turned out in vast numbers Monday to pay tribute to the memory of the late Staff Sgt. James Lillard, one of our young men of Rossville who paid with their lives for the last World War. Mr. and Mrs. James Lillard received word from the government authorities Wednesday that the body of their son Jams J. Lillard would arrive in Topeka at 11:45 a. m. Saturday and taken to the Wall-Diffenderfer Funeral Home pending, the family’s wishes for funeral arrangements. As we go to press the day and hour of the service are not known Rev. E. O Harbour of the Methodist church and the Chaplain of Maple Hill Post American Legion will be in charge of the church service and the Legion rites will be exemplified at the Rossville cemetery. Staff Sgt. James J. Lillard was born at Valencia, Kansas, July 7th, 1919. He attended grade and high school at Silver Lake, graduating in 1936. He was employed at the Buchmeier Grocery in Rossville at the time of his enlistment into the Army, Feb. 17, 1941. He was assigned to Co. B. 134th Infantry, 35th. Division serving three years and 8 months, including one year and 7 months overseas. He was wounded in the battle of St. Lo, Aug. 6, 1944 and was killed in action Nov. 14, 1944, in Lorraine, France. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Lillard, Rossville and three sisters, Mrs. Mildred Elvin, Topeka; Mrs. Thelma Wymore, Atlanta, Georgia and Mrs. Margie Hoobler, at Rossville.

  
  

• Notes

  Military: WWII S/Sgt. Co. B, 134th Inf., 35th Div.