Local Boy Drowns in Worms, Germany Tues.

Mrs. Verba Newton of Mountain Grove, received word from the Government Tuesday night that her son, Private William Glen Newton, Jr., drowned in Worms, Germany, while on maneuvers.

The telegram read in part that private William Glen Newton, died in Germany, January 8 as a result of drowning while participating on training exercises. He was a passenger in a military vehicle, which, after crossing a river, started up the bank and slipped into the water.

Private Newton has been in the army two years, and has been stationed in Worms, Germany, 1 year and 9 months. He is a graduate of the Mountain Grove High School with the Class of 1960.

His body will be returned to Mountain Grove for services to be set later, and under the direction of the Barber Funeral Home.

(above taken from The Mountain Grove Journal, Jan. 10, 1963.)

- Obituary -

Funeral Services to be Sunday Afternoon for Wm. Glen Newton

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the First Freewill Baptist Church for Pfc. William Glen Newton, 19 years old, of Mountain Grove, who was drowned while participating in military training in Oppenhiem, Germany, January 8. Rev. O.T. Dixon will officiate, assisted by Rev. Archie Coomer. Hymns will be sung by the church choir and a solo by Mrs. Hazel Franklin.

Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of the Barber Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Lyle Harrison, Clarence Woods, Elmer Ellington, Buck Franklin, T.D. (Spig) McCarty and Earl Hull. Military Rites will be conducted by Fort Leonard Wood Post of the American Legion.

William Glen Newton, Jr., son of William Glenn and Verba (Martin) Newton, was born January 12, 1943 in Mountain Grove, making his age 19 years, 11 months, and 27 days.

He had been in the service of his country 2 years, 1 month, 7 days. After 4 1/2 months of training at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Dix, New Jersey, he was sent to Worms, Germany and there had 21 months training.

Pfc. Newton was a rifleman in Co. A of the 48th Infantry in Worms, Germany. He was a graduate of the Mountain Grove High School with the class of 1960.

William Glenn was converted to Christ, baptized and united with the First Freewill Baptist Church in Mountain Grove in 1955. His young life at that time being 12 years of age and was faithful to the Lord until the end. His motto was "Watch every step and every minute of time that is still alloted you." This he prayerfully practiced with care. To know him was to love him.

His father preceded him in death December 8, 1952.

He leaves to mourn his passing his mother Mrs. Verba Newton, Mountain Grove: three sisters, Mrs. Norma Bradshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota, Mrs. June Putman, Mt. Pleasant, Tn. and Mrs. Myrtle Weekly, Montgomery, Alabama; seven nephews, 2 nieces, a host of other relatives and many friends who will sadly miss him.

(Above obituary taken from The Mountain Grove Journal Jan. 24, 1963.)