PVT Billie Robert Springer

courtesy of Frogman

PVT Billie Robert Springer was born 10 May 1919 in Missoula, Montana. He was the only child of Clayton Harry and Clara Luella (Caston) Springer. His parents divorced in 1930 and his mother re-married. His father worked for local farmers. Billie moved to California and found work as a cook.

Billie voluntarily enlisted in December 1941. He married Omar Beatrice Chenault in August 1942 in Corinth, Mississippi. PVT Springer was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. He then served with C Company as a rifleman until he was shot and killed in action on 1 Aug 1944.

PVT Springer is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

Omar never remarried and the couple never had children. Maternal half-great uncle, William Henry Bair, served in H Company 116th Infantry in WWI. 3 of Billie's great-grandfathers served in the US Army during the Civil  War. Jacob S. Ohl served as a PVT in D Battery 1st Ohio Light Artillery (USA), Hiram Caston, served as a PVT in E Company, 42nd Illinois Infantry (USA) and James William Springer served as a PVT in F Company 152nd Indiana Infantry.

Billie's father created a rather unique memorial to his son. As early as 1945 he deeded 160 "timbered" acres to VFW post 1430 to create the Billie Springer Memorial Park near Sula, Montana. While the conditions for occupation have changed slightly over the years, the park exists for the benefit of U.S. veterans.