NAME: William James Austin
AGE: 86
BORN: October 30, 1925 PLACE OF BIRTH: Bushland, TX
DATE OF DEATH: November 12, 2011 PLACE OF DEATH: Amarillo, TX
SERVICE & OFFICIANT: South Georgia Baptist Church by Terry Austin
BURIAL: Memory Gardens, Canyon Highway, Amarillo, Texas
BIOGRAPHY: William J Austin served in Marine Corps in 1943 and he was wounded on Iwo Jima on March 1, 1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart on June 25, 1945. After being discharged from the USMC, he surrendered to preach on Easter 1951. William later served as pastor of 4 different churches over almost 30 years. In July 1969, he was appointed Director of Missions for the Colorado Baptist Convention until he retired in 1989 when he moved back to Amarillo, Texas. Since retirement, he has interim pastored at numerous churches in the Texas Panhandle.
SURVIVORS: Wife – Bella Jo Austin; Brother – Charles Austin; Children – Linda Siefkin, Terry Austin, Steve Austin, Jeff Austin; Grandchildren – Bryan McLimore, Cassie McLimore, Jeremy Austin, Matthew Austin, Andrew Austin, Chae Austin, Stephanie Austin, Macey Austin, Morris Austin, Molly Austin; Great Grandchildren – Madison McLimore, Ryanne McLimore, Garrett McLimore, Noah Austin
Veterans Day: Marine lost right leg at Iwo Jima
By JON MARK BEILUE
Posted Nov 10, 2011 at 10:15 PM
The Rev. Bill Austin was awarded the Purple Heart while he recovered in Norman, Oklahoma.
The symbol of his sacrifice in the brutal 36-day battle on the 5-mile-long island 700 miles from Japan rested with a pair of pants draped over it against a wall in an ICU room at the Thomas E. Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
It was the Rev. Bill Austin's artificial right leg, by his count his fourth such leg since a Japanese mortar shell ripped into him and 13 other Marines on March 1, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
"He's never been discouraged about it, I don't know why," said Jo, his wife of nearly 66 years. "I would be. He just thinks God does what he needs to do to help him in any situation. He never seems to give up on anything."
This week was just one more challenge in the servant life of Austin, 86.
He went to the VA last week for a bout of laryngitis he couldn't shake, and in the process, doctors discovered his gallbladder needed to be removed.
Austin preached in 1951 at a service at Summit Baptist Church in Amarillo, three years after his right leg was amputated.
Austin spent years as a pastor and pastoral administrator, from 1953 until he retired in 1989. Then he and Jo returned to their native Texas Panhandle from Colorado, where he has been interim pastor at 21 Baptist churches and spoke in the pulpit of 61.
"I wouldn't trade my life for anything," Austin whispered.
Austin was the third of five children raised on a farm in Bushland. His mother, Lena, died in 1933 during childbirth. He graduated from Amarillo High, but not before registering for the World War II draft on his 18th birthday, Oct. 30, 1943.
Two months later, Uncle Sam called. Eventually, Austin joined the 21st Regiment of the Marines' Third Division. Beginning in July 1944, his division was among those that helped recapture Guam at a cost of 23,500 American and Japanese casualties.
That only steeled the Marines for an epic battle starting in February 1945. Iwo Jima, a tiny island of ash, held three vital airfields and was heavily fortified with Japanese.
"I think it brought a close to the war," Austin said. "That's my opinion."
Austin, just 19, arrived at Iwo Jima on Feb. 21, two days after the fierce fighting began. He was within 400 yards of the first photo - the second staged photo would become one of the most famous images of the 20th century - of Marines hoisting a U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi.
Nearly a month of intense fighting followed. An estimated 21,844 Japanese soldiers were killed. Some 6,812 Marines were killed, and 19,217 were wounded before the island was captured. There were 27 Medals of Honor awarded at Iwo Jima, 22 to Marines.
Austin was on patrol March 1, eight days after coming ashore. He and 14 other Marines were behind a dirt shelter when they were struck by a Japanese artillery shell. Twelve were killed instantly, while Austin and another were carried to a hospital ship. The other Marine died.
For Austin, it would begin three years in and out of Navy hospitals in Guam and Honolulu as well as Norman, Okla., where he received his Purple Heart; the VA in Amarillo; and in McKinney.
It was in McKinney that it was evident to doctors that bone grafts had not worked and would never work on his femur. His right leg was amputated in April 1948.
"Why should I be bitter? I was not any better than anybody else they drafted," Austin said. "We all had a job to do."
It was a shock to Jo Austin when her husband surrendered to preach in 1951. She knew he was serious.
Austin got a degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood. His education was interrupted for a time as the oldest of his two children, son Terry, went to Fort Worth and South Texas for polio treatments.
Contributor: MIKE STROHM (48475449) • [email protected]
AGE: 86
BORN: October 30, 1925 PLACE OF BIRTH: Bushland, TX
DATE OF DEATH: November 12, 2011 PLACE OF DEATH: Amarillo, TX
SERVICE & OFFICIANT: South Georgia Baptist Church by Terry Austin
BURIAL: Memory Gardens, Canyon Highway, Amarillo, Texas
BIOGRAPHY: William J Austin served in Marine Corps in 1943 and he was wounded on Iwo Jima on March 1, 1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart on June 25, 1945. After being discharged from the USMC, he surrendered to preach on Easter 1951. William later served as pastor of 4 different churches over almost 30 years. In July 1969, he was appointed Director of Missions for the Colorado Baptist Convention until he retired in 1989 when he moved back to Amarillo, Texas. Since retirement, he has interim pastored at numerous churches in the Texas Panhandle.
SURVIVORS: Wife – Bella Jo Austin; Brother – Charles Austin; Children – Linda Siefkin, Terry Austin, Steve Austin, Jeff Austin; Grandchildren – Bryan McLimore, Cassie McLimore, Jeremy Austin, Matthew Austin, Andrew Austin, Chae Austin, Stephanie Austin, Macey Austin, Morris Austin, Molly Austin; Great Grandchildren – Madison McLimore, Ryanne McLimore, Garrett McLimore, Noah Austin
Veterans Day: Marine lost right leg at Iwo Jima
By JON MARK BEILUE
Posted Nov 10, 2011 at 10:15 PM
The Rev. Bill Austin was awarded the Purple Heart while he recovered in Norman, Oklahoma.
The symbol of his sacrifice in the brutal 36-day battle on the 5-mile-long island 700 miles from Japan rested with a pair of pants draped over it against a wall in an ICU room at the Thomas E. Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
It was the Rev. Bill Austin's artificial right leg, by his count his fourth such leg since a Japanese mortar shell ripped into him and 13 other Marines on March 1, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
"He's never been discouraged about it, I don't know why," said Jo, his wife of nearly 66 years. "I would be. He just thinks God does what he needs to do to help him in any situation. He never seems to give up on anything."
This week was just one more challenge in the servant life of Austin, 86.
He went to the VA last week for a bout of laryngitis he couldn't shake, and in the process, doctors discovered his gallbladder needed to be removed.
Austin preached in 1951 at a service at Summit Baptist Church in Amarillo, three years after his right leg was amputated.
Austin spent years as a pastor and pastoral administrator, from 1953 until he retired in 1989. Then he and Jo returned to their native Texas Panhandle from Colorado, where he has been interim pastor at 21 Baptist churches and spoke in the pulpit of 61.
"I wouldn't trade my life for anything," Austin whispered.
Austin was the third of five children raised on a farm in Bushland. His mother, Lena, died in 1933 during childbirth. He graduated from Amarillo High, but not before registering for the World War II draft on his 18th birthday, Oct. 30, 1943.
Two months later, Uncle Sam called. Eventually, Austin joined the 21st Regiment of the Marines' Third Division. Beginning in July 1944, his division was among those that helped recapture Guam at a cost of 23,500 American and Japanese casualties.
That only steeled the Marines for an epic battle starting in February 1945. Iwo Jima, a tiny island of ash, held three vital airfields and was heavily fortified with Japanese.
"I think it brought a close to the war," Austin said. "That's my opinion."
Austin, just 19, arrived at Iwo Jima on Feb. 21, two days after the fierce fighting began. He was within 400 yards of the first photo - the second staged photo would become one of the most famous images of the 20th century - of Marines hoisting a U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi.
Nearly a month of intense fighting followed. An estimated 21,844 Japanese soldiers were killed. Some 6,812 Marines were killed, and 19,217 were wounded before the island was captured. There were 27 Medals of Honor awarded at Iwo Jima, 22 to Marines.
Austin was on patrol March 1, eight days after coming ashore. He and 14 other Marines were behind a dirt shelter when they were struck by a Japanese artillery shell. Twelve were killed instantly, while Austin and another were carried to a hospital ship. The other Marine died.
For Austin, it would begin three years in and out of Navy hospitals in Guam and Honolulu as well as Norman, Okla., where he received his Purple Heart; the VA in Amarillo; and in McKinney.
It was in McKinney that it was evident to doctors that bone grafts had not worked and would never work on his femur. His right leg was amputated in April 1948.
"Why should I be bitter? I was not any better than anybody else they drafted," Austin said. "We all had a job to do."
It was a shock to Jo Austin when her husband surrendered to preach in 1951. She knew he was serious.
Austin got a degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood. His education was interrupted for a time as the oldest of his two children, son Terry, went to Fort Worth and South Texas for polio treatments.
Contributor: MIKE STROHM (48475449) • [email protected]
NAME: William James Austin
AGE: 86
BORN: October 30, 1925 PLACE OF BIRTH: Bushland, TX
DATE OF DEATH: November 12, 2011 PLACE OF DEATH: Amarillo, TX
SERVICE & OFFICIANT: South Georgia Baptist Church by Terry Austin
BURIAL: Memory Gardens, Canyon Highway, Amarillo, Texas
BIOGRAPHY: William J Austin served in Marine Corps in 1943 and he was wounded on Iwo Jima on March 1, 1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart on June 25, 1945. After being discharged from the USMC, he surrendered to preach on Easter 1951. William later served as pastor of 4 different churches over almost 30 years. In July 1969, he was appointed Director of Missions for the Colorado Baptist Convention until he retired in 1989 when he moved back to Amarillo, Texas. Since retirement, he has interim pastored at numerous churches in the Texas Panhandle.
SURVIVORS: Wife – Bella Jo Austin; Brother – Charles Austin; Children – Linda Siefkin, Terry Austin, Steve Austin, Jeff Austin; Grandchildren – Bryan McLimore, Cassie McLimore, Jeremy Austin, Matthew Austin, Andrew Austin, Chae Austin, Stephanie Austin, Macey Austin, Morris Austin, Molly Austin; Great Grandchildren – Madison McLimore, Ryanne McLimore, Garrett McLimore, Noah Austin
Veterans Day: Marine lost right leg at Iwo Jima
By JON MARK BEILUE
Posted Nov 10, 2011 at 10:15 PM
The Rev. Bill Austin was awarded the Purple Heart while he recovered in Norman, Oklahoma.
The symbol of his sacrifice in the brutal 36-day battle on the 5-mile-long island 700 miles from Japan rested with a pair of pants draped over it against a wall in an ICU room at the Thomas E. Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
It was the Rev. Bill Austin's artificial right leg, by his count his fourth such leg since a Japanese mortar shell ripped into him and 13 other Marines on March 1, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
"He's never been discouraged about it, I don't know why," said Jo, his wife of nearly 66 years. "I would be. He just thinks God does what he needs to do to help him in any situation. He never seems to give up on anything."
This week was just one more challenge in the servant life of Austin, 86.
He went to the VA last week for a bout of laryngitis he couldn't shake, and in the process, doctors discovered his gallbladder needed to be removed.
Austin preached in 1951 at a service at Summit Baptist Church in Amarillo, three years after his right leg was amputated.
Austin spent years as a pastor and pastoral administrator, from 1953 until he retired in 1989. Then he and Jo returned to their native Texas Panhandle from Colorado, where he has been interim pastor at 21 Baptist churches and spoke in the pulpit of 61.
"I wouldn't trade my life for anything," Austin whispered.
Austin was the third of five children raised on a farm in Bushland. His mother, Lena, died in 1933 during childbirth. He graduated from Amarillo High, but not before registering for the World War II draft on his 18th birthday, Oct. 30, 1943.
Two months later, Uncle Sam called. Eventually, Austin joined the 21st Regiment of the Marines' Third Division. Beginning in July 1944, his division was among those that helped recapture Guam at a cost of 23,500 American and Japanese casualties.
That only steeled the Marines for an epic battle starting in February 1945. Iwo Jima, a tiny island of ash, held three vital airfields and was heavily fortified with Japanese.
"I think it brought a close to the war," Austin said. "That's my opinion."
Austin, just 19, arrived at Iwo Jima on Feb. 21, two days after the fierce fighting began. He was within 400 yards of the first photo - the second staged photo would become one of the most famous images of the 20th century - of Marines hoisting a U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi.
Nearly a month of intense fighting followed. An estimated 21,844 Japanese soldiers were killed. Some 6,812 Marines were killed, and 19,217 were wounded before the island was captured. There were 27 Medals of Honor awarded at Iwo Jima, 22 to Marines.
Austin was on patrol March 1, eight days after coming ashore. He and 14 other Marines were behind a dirt shelter when they were struck by a Japanese artillery shell. Twelve were killed instantly, while Austin and another were carried to a hospital ship. The other Marine died.
For Austin, it would begin three years in and out of Navy hospitals in Guam and Honolulu as well as Norman, Okla., where he received his Purple Heart; the VA in Amarillo; and in McKinney.
It was in McKinney that it was evident to doctors that bone grafts had not worked and would never work on his femur. His right leg was amputated in April 1948.
"Why should I be bitter? I was not any better than anybody else they drafted," Austin said. "We all had a job to do."
It was a shock to Jo Austin when her husband surrendered to preach in 1951. She knew he was serious.
Austin got a degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood. His education was interrupted for a time as the oldest of his two children, son Terry, went to Fort Worth and South Texas for polio treatments.
Contributor: MIKE STROHM (48475449) • [email protected]
AGE: 86
BORN: October 30, 1925 PLACE OF BIRTH: Bushland, TX
DATE OF DEATH: November 12, 2011 PLACE OF DEATH: Amarillo, TX
SERVICE & OFFICIANT: South Georgia Baptist Church by Terry Austin
BURIAL: Memory Gardens, Canyon Highway, Amarillo, Texas
BIOGRAPHY: William J Austin served in Marine Corps in 1943 and he was wounded on Iwo Jima on March 1, 1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart on June 25, 1945. After being discharged from the USMC, he surrendered to preach on Easter 1951. William later served as pastor of 4 different churches over almost 30 years. In July 1969, he was appointed Director of Missions for the Colorado Baptist Convention until he retired in 1989 when he moved back to Amarillo, Texas. Since retirement, he has interim pastored at numerous churches in the Texas Panhandle.
SURVIVORS: Wife – Bella Jo Austin; Brother – Charles Austin; Children – Linda Siefkin, Terry Austin, Steve Austin, Jeff Austin; Grandchildren – Bryan McLimore, Cassie McLimore, Jeremy Austin, Matthew Austin, Andrew Austin, Chae Austin, Stephanie Austin, Macey Austin, Morris Austin, Molly Austin; Great Grandchildren – Madison McLimore, Ryanne McLimore, Garrett McLimore, Noah Austin
Veterans Day: Marine lost right leg at Iwo Jima
By JON MARK BEILUE
Posted Nov 10, 2011 at 10:15 PM
The Rev. Bill Austin was awarded the Purple Heart while he recovered in Norman, Oklahoma.
The symbol of his sacrifice in the brutal 36-day battle on the 5-mile-long island 700 miles from Japan rested with a pair of pants draped over it against a wall in an ICU room at the Thomas E. Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
It was the Rev. Bill Austin's artificial right leg, by his count his fourth such leg since a Japanese mortar shell ripped into him and 13 other Marines on March 1, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
"He's never been discouraged about it, I don't know why," said Jo, his wife of nearly 66 years. "I would be. He just thinks God does what he needs to do to help him in any situation. He never seems to give up on anything."
This week was just one more challenge in the servant life of Austin, 86.
He went to the VA last week for a bout of laryngitis he couldn't shake, and in the process, doctors discovered his gallbladder needed to be removed.
Austin preached in 1951 at a service at Summit Baptist Church in Amarillo, three years after his right leg was amputated.
Austin spent years as a pastor and pastoral administrator, from 1953 until he retired in 1989. Then he and Jo returned to their native Texas Panhandle from Colorado, where he has been interim pastor at 21 Baptist churches and spoke in the pulpit of 61.
"I wouldn't trade my life for anything," Austin whispered.
Austin was the third of five children raised on a farm in Bushland. His mother, Lena, died in 1933 during childbirth. He graduated from Amarillo High, but not before registering for the World War II draft on his 18th birthday, Oct. 30, 1943.
Two months later, Uncle Sam called. Eventually, Austin joined the 21st Regiment of the Marines' Third Division. Beginning in July 1944, his division was among those that helped recapture Guam at a cost of 23,500 American and Japanese casualties.
That only steeled the Marines for an epic battle starting in February 1945. Iwo Jima, a tiny island of ash, held three vital airfields and was heavily fortified with Japanese.
"I think it brought a close to the war," Austin said. "That's my opinion."
Austin, just 19, arrived at Iwo Jima on Feb. 21, two days after the fierce fighting began. He was within 400 yards of the first photo - the second staged photo would become one of the most famous images of the 20th century - of Marines hoisting a U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi.
Nearly a month of intense fighting followed. An estimated 21,844 Japanese soldiers were killed. Some 6,812 Marines were killed, and 19,217 were wounded before the island was captured. There were 27 Medals of Honor awarded at Iwo Jima, 22 to Marines.
Austin was on patrol March 1, eight days after coming ashore. He and 14 other Marines were behind a dirt shelter when they were struck by a Japanese artillery shell. Twelve were killed instantly, while Austin and another were carried to a hospital ship. The other Marine died.
For Austin, it would begin three years in and out of Navy hospitals in Guam and Honolulu as well as Norman, Okla., where he received his Purple Heart; the VA in Amarillo; and in McKinney.
It was in McKinney that it was evident to doctors that bone grafts had not worked and would never work on his femur. His right leg was amputated in April 1948.
"Why should I be bitter? I was not any better than anybody else they drafted," Austin said. "We all had a job to do."
It was a shock to Jo Austin when her husband surrendered to preach in 1951. She knew he was serious.
Austin got a degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood. His education was interrupted for a time as the oldest of his two children, son Terry, went to Fort Worth and South Texas for polio treatments.
Contributor: MIKE STROHM (48475449) • [email protected]
Family Members
Spouse
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
