Willie enlisted in C Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry on 26 Mar 1917. When it was reorganized for service in France, Willie was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He married Evlyn Gladys Fretwell on 9 May 1918. It may be that the couple eloped just prior to the regiment going to Camp McClellan, Alabama. Of course, Willie had to go with them. After the unit trained there, CPL Hillsman shipped with the unit aboard the USS Finland to France, departing Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918. CPL Hillsman was killed in action on 8 Oct 1918.
CPL Hillsman was repatriated in 1930. He now rests forever in Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Amelia County, Virginia.
Willie and Evlyn had no children. She would re-marry and have several children with her second husband.
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