William Alexander grew up in Putnam County, Missouri. He only finished the 4th grade of school. His Mother said that he ran off with the circus as a boy and came home with head lice.

He worked as a laborer on the section gang of the CB&Q railroad as a young man and got on the train service of the same railroad. There he stayed for over 40 years, working as a Brakeman and Conductor. He was a Member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. William was in life a strong Democrat.

He spent the last years of his life in Ottumwa, Iowa in a pleasant little home with his wife Myrtle. He had 11 children. He has many grandchildren living throughout the United States.

*Some of the information in this biography was given by William's son Harry. _________________________________________________________

Obituary * This obituary has been corrected by his granddaughter

William E. Alexander, Retired Railway Trainman, Dead

W. E. (Elick) Alexander, 76, died at 6:56 p.m., Saturday at the St. Joseph Hospital after a short illness. His home was at 201 S. Schuyler.

He had been a trainman on the C.B.& Q Railroad for 42 years prior to his retirement in 1955. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, No. 12, The Burlinton Veteran Association and the Pickwick Lodge No. 129, IOOF.

The son of Henry and Katherine Henry Alexander, he was born in Putnam County, Mo., Aug. 25, 1885. He had lived in Ottumwa for 31 years.

He was married to Myrtle Wilcoxson, Aug. 13, 1927, at Creston. Surviving are his wife, six sons, William, Gilbert, and Luke Alexander of Chicago, Illinois, Paul Alexander of Klamath, Oregon, Howard Alexander of Hastings, Minn., and Harry Alexander of Ottumwa, Iowa; two daughters Evelyn Gilson and Ruth Harden of Chicago, Illinois; two brothers, Fred Alexander of Anaheim, Calif., and Gilbert Alexander of Glendora, Calif., and 24 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son and three daughters, Violet Alexander, Izena Gibson and Goldie Tollari.