John & Susan Howell
Family Trees

Home Page  |  What's New  |  Photos  |  Histories  |  Headstones  |  Reports  |  Surnames
Search
First Name:


Last Name:



Wilbur Russell Boyer, "Bill"

Wilbur Russell Boyer, "Bill"[1, 2, 3]

Male 1923 - 2011  (87 years)

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Wilbur Russell Boyer 
    Suffix "Bill" 
    Living in 1923  Philadelphia (Frankford), PA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    5401 N. Front Street (born here) 
    Birth 27 Dec 1923  5401 N. Front St. Phila PA (Home) Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Member 1939  Olney, Philadelphia, PA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Olney High School Baseball Team 
    Military Service 1942 
    Enlists in US Navy - Age 18 
    Worked 1942  Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Begins at the Pennsylvania Railroad 
    Military Service 2 Sep 1945  Tokyo Bay, Japan Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Attends ceremony of Japanese surrender to Gen. MacArthur on board the USS Missouri 
    Attending 5 Oct 1945  San Francisco, San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location 
    on the USS Blue at it returns to USA from WWII 
    Military Service 1943 - 1946  Pacific Ocean Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Radioman 2nd Class aboard USS Blue DD-744(see details below) 
    Living in 1951  Germantown, PA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    A $60/mo apartment. 
    Living in 1951 - 1962  Rawnhurst, Philadelphia, PA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    1817 Afton St. 
    Living in 1962 -1976  Sharon Hill, PA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Sharon Park Drive 
    Lived in 1956 - 1977  Avalon, NJ Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Summer home. 220 19th Street 
    Worked 1983  Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Retired from Conrail (formely Penn Central, formerly Pennsylvania RR) 
    Living in 1975 - 1985  Ridley Creek, PA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    1111 Ridley Creek Rd 
    Living in 1985  Ft. Myers, FL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Kent Ave. 
    Living in 1982 -1988  Cape May Court House, NJ Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Summer home 
    Occupation Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Yardmaster, Penn Central RR 
    FamilySearch ID LTFP-WTJ 
    FamilySearch URL https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LTFP-WTJ 
    Death 30 Aug 2011  Naples, FL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I72  Main
    Last Modified 15 Oct 2018 

    Father Wilbur Russell Boyer,   b. 7 Dec 1896, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 30 Jun 1985, Ft. Myers, FL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 88 years) 
    Mother Elizabeth Mary Carlin,   b. 22 Oct 1899, Frankford, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Dec 1977, Cape May, Cape May County, NJ Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years) 
    Marriage 24 Oct 1916  Elkton, MD Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F54  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Jane Evelyn Carter,   b. 31 Mar 1927, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 26 Jul 2008, Ft. Myers, Lee, Florida, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 81 years) 
    Marriage 27 Apr 1951  Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
    +1. S.C. Boyer
     2. C.L. Boyer
    +3. J.W. Boyer
    Family ID F11  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 30 Aug 2011 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsLiving in - 5401 N. Front Street (born here) - 1923 - Philadelphia (Frankford), PA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 27 Dec 1923 - 5401 N. Front St. Phila PA (Home) Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMember - Olney High School Baseball Team - 1939 - Olney, Philadelphia, PA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWorked - Begins at the Pennsylvania Railroad - 1942 - Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMilitary Service - Attends ceremony of Japanese surrender to Gen. MacArthur on board the USS Missouri - 2 Sep 1945 - Tokyo Bay, Japan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsAttending - on the USS Blue at it returns to USA from WWII - 5 Oct 1945 - San Francisco, San Francisco, California Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMilitary Service - Radioman 2nd Class aboard USS Blue DD-744(see details below) - 1943 - 1946 - Pacific Ocean Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLiving in - A $60/mo apartment. - 1951 - Germantown, PA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 27 Apr 1951 - Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLiving in - 1817 Afton St. - 1951 - 1962 - Rawnhurst, Philadelphia, PA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLiving in - Sharon Park Drive - 1962 -1976 - Sharon Hill, PA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLived in - Summer home. 220 19th Street - 1956 - 1977 - Avalon, NJ Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWorked - Retired from Conrail (formely Penn Central, formerly Pennsylvania RR) - 1983 - Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLiving in - 1111 Ridley Creek Rd - 1975 - 1985 - Ridley Creek, PA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLiving in - Kent Ave. - 1985 - Ft. Myers, FL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLiving in - Summer home - 1982 -1988 - Cape May Court House, NJ Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Yardmaster, Penn Central RR - - Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 30 Aug 2011 - Naples, FL Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    Wilbur R. Boyer    		Wilbur R. Boyer
    Bill Boyer in Naples, FL in 2002
    W.R. 'Bill' Boyer    		W.R. "Bill" Boyer
    USS Blue DD-744 Insignia    		USS Blue DD-744 Insignia
    USS Blue DD-744    		USS Blue DD-744
    This is the ship that Bill Boyer served on during WWII in the Pacific.

    Documents
    Bill Boyer - Hometown Hero    		Bill Boyer - Hometown Hero
    Article appearing in the Naples Daily News. Covers Wilbur R. Boyer's participation in World War II as a Navy radioman.
    Bill Boyer obituary    		Bill Boyer obituary
    Wilbur R. "Bill" Boyer obituary - Ft. Myers News-Press
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Wilbur R. Boyer, Jr. - Obituary    		Wilbur R. Boyer, Jr. - Obituary
    WILBUR R. BOYER, JR., "BILL," "POPPY". AUGUST 30, 2011 Wilbur R. Boyer, Jr., "Bill," "Poppy," 87, of Bentley Village, Naples, born December 23, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and formerly of Media, PA and Avalon, NJ, passed away suddenly, Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Bill was predeceased by his wire or 57 years, Jane Carter Boyer, and by his sister Evelyn Hinsdale. Bill is survived by his three children, Susan Howell (husband John), Carol Obermeier (husband Gary) and Jack Boyer (wife Kathryn), and four grandchildren Jack Howell, Elizabeth Howell, Madeline Boyer and Margaux Boyer. A WWII veteran, Bill served as Radioman 2nd class aboard the USS Blue DD-744 in the Pacific Fleet from 1943 until October 1945. Bill retired from the Pennsylvania Central Railroad in 1983, working as a Yardmaster in Philadelphia. Bill was an active sportsman. He played baseball at Olney High School in Philadelphia and loved playing tennis and swimming at the beach with his children and grandchildren. Poppy was a wonderful grandfather who was also known to break out into song - Jimmy Buffett's "Pencil Thin Mustache" was a favorite and he always helped do the dishes. Bill was an avid bridge player and especially enjoyed the company of the wonderful staff and his many friends at Bentley Village. He will be missed by all. Bill's family and friends will be gathering at Bentley Village, 370 Classic Court, Naples, from 4 to 5 PM on Saturday, September 3rd to celebrate his life. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907, 239-936-0555.' Online condolences may be made at: www.fortmyersmemorial. com.
    W.R. Boyer, Jr. - Certificate of Cremation    		W.R. Boyer, Jr. - Certificate of Cremation
    30 August 2021 - On the tenth anniversary of Bill's death, his ashes were spread into the water from the 21st street bridge in Avalon, NJ. As he released the ashes into the wind his grandson Jack Howell said: "Poppy we hung on to you as long as we could, but it's time to let you go." This location was a favorite swimming place for Bill and he often spoke fondly of his times and adventures here. In attendance were: a) his three children Susan Boyer Howell, Carol Boyer Obermeier and Jack Boyer. b) Jack Howell and Elizabeth Howell Hanano (grandchildren), c) Jane and Charlotte Hanano (great grandchildren), d) John Howell (son-in-law), and Nabil Hanano (grandson-in-law)

    Histories
    USS Blue, DD-744 'War Diary'    		USS Blue, DD-744 "War Diary"
    Selected pages from the official war diary book prepared just after the return of the Blue from WWII Pacific Fleet duty. (large file: 26MB)

    Recordings
    Bill Boyer audio interview - part 1    		Bill Boyer audio interview - part 1
    Bill Boyer audio interview - part 2    		Bill Boyer audio interview - part 2

  • Notes 
    • Obituary

      Appeared in Ft. Myers News Press and Naples Daily News on 1 Sept 2011 with photo, veteran flag and US Navy emblem)

      Wilbur R. Boyer, Jr., "Bill," "Poppy," 87, of Bentley Village, Naples, born December 23, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and formerly of Media, PA and Avalon, NJ, passed away suddenly, Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Bill was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Jane Carter Boyer, and by his sister Evelyn Hinsdale. Bill is survived by his three children, Susan Howell (husband John), Carol Obermeier (husband Gary) and Jack Boyer (wife Kathryn), and four grandchildren Jack Howell, Elizabeth Howell, Madeline Boyer and Margaux Boyer. A WWII veteran, Bill served as Radioman 2nd class aboard the USS Blue DD-744 in the Pacific Fleet from 1943 until October 1945. Bill retired from the Pennsylvania Central Railroad in 1983, working as a Yardmaster in Philadelphia. Bill was an active sportsman. He played baseball at Olney High School in Philadelphia and loved playing tennis and swimming at the beach with his children and grandchildren. Poppy was a wonderful grandfather who was also known to break out into song - Jimmy Buffett's "Pencil Thin Mustache" was a favorite - and he always helped do the dishes. Bill was an avid bridge player and especially enjoyed the company of the wonderful staff and his many friends at Bentley Village. He will be missed by all. Bill's family and friends will be gathering at Bentley Village, 370 Classic Court, Naples, from 4 to 5 PM on Saturday, September 3rd to celebrate his life.

      Details of service during World War II

      1943 - (age 20) Served on the Sumner class destroyer USS Blue DD-744during WII. Was part of the first crew at launching in November 1943 -- which makes him a "plankholder" (first sailor on a new ship) of the DD-744.

      The crew and ship served in the Pacific during World War II, and was many times involved in battle and in severe storms that sunk ships in the same convoy.  Entered Tokyo Bay, Japan at the time of the Japanese surrender. (Alternate site for USS Blue)

      The following text excerpt is a detailed account of USS Blue's duty during WWII during the time Bill served on the ship: (appears here in its complete form )

      "The second BLUE (DD-744) was launched 28 November 1943 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Staten Island, N.Y.; co-sponsored by Mrs. J. S. Blue and Miss Eleanor Stuart Blue, widow and daughter, respectively, of Lieutenant Commander Blue; and commissioned 20 march 1944, Commander L. Ensey in command.

      BLUE reported to the Pacific Fleet in July 1944 and joined TF 58 at Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. While screening the fast carrier task forces, BLUE took part in the Volcanos-Bonin-Yap raid-(31 August-9 September); capture of the southern Palaus (6 September-14 October); Philippine Islands raids (9-24 September); Luzon raids (5-6, 13-14 and 18 November and 14-16 December); Formosa raids (3-4, 9, and 15 January 1945); Luzon raids (6-7 January); China coast raids (12-16 January); Honshu and the Nansei Shoto raids (15-26 February and 1 March); Iwo Jima assault (15 February-4 March); and conquest of Okinawa (17 March-6 June). BLUE was damaged by the 5 June typhoon off Okinawa and retired to Leyte for repairs. Her repairs were completed in time for the destroyer to join the 3rd Fleet for its attacks against the Japanese home islands (10 July-15 August).

      On 27 August BLUE captured the 5223-ton submarine I-400 off the coast of Honshu and brought her into port. She steamed into Tokyo Bay 2 September and remained at anchor at Yokosuka Naval Base for two weeks. She then steamed to San Francisco arriving 5 October 1945 and shortly thereafter sailed to Puget Sound Navy Yard for complete overhaul."

      Read a detailed article on the battle of Tokyo Bay in which the Blue and 8 other destroyers participated. http://www.ussdehaven.org/tokyo_shootout.htm [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]

    Living in:
    • Newlywed. Lived here with Jane for 10 months.

    Worked:
    • 43 years of service.

  • Sources 
    1. [S2] John S. Howell, Jr., JSH Feb 13 2003 gedcom.

    2. [S131] JSHJr.

    3. [SAuth] John Spencer Howell, Jr., John Spencer Howell, Jr., (http://www.jhowell.com/ jhowell@jhowell.com).

    4. [S792] Wikipedia, Battle of Peleliu (an island in Palau): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Peleliu.

    5. [S792] Wikipedia, Battle of Leyete: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte.

    6. [S792] Wikipedia, Battle of Luzon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Luzon.

    7. [S792] Wikipedia, Battle of Iwo Jima: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima.

    8. [S792] Wikipedia, Battle of Okinawa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Okinawa.

    9. [S792] Wikipedia, Capture of the I-400 Submarine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-400_class_submarine.

    10. [S1247] Tin Can Sailors, (http://destroyers.org/), USS Blue Ships History - http://www.destroyers.org/DANFS/h-dd-744.htm.

    11. [S1246] Destroyersonline, (destroyersonline.com), DD-744 crew listing - http://www.mustangone.com/cgi-bin/crewlisting.pl?classid=DD-692&hulln=744.

    12. [S1580] Ft. Myers News-Press, 1 Sep 2011.

    13. [S1630] Naples Daily News, 1 Sep 2011.



This site powered by The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding v. 14.0.2, written by Darrin Lythgoe © 2001-2023.

Maintained by John Spencer Howell, Jr..