Dec 19, 2020
YOUNGSTOWN– William “Bill” John James Jr., 96, passed away peacefully at Hospice of the Valley Hospice House Dec. 11, 2020.
Bill was born July 6, 1924, in Youngstown, son of Florence Elizabeth Wilkes James and William John James Sr.
He attended Cleveland Elementary and Princeton Junior High Schools, working at the latter as school custodian during the Great Depression. He graduated from South High School in 1942.
Bill served in the World War II Naval Pacific Theater from 1943-1946, first as Seaman on the destroyer escort, USS Dionne, and then as Shipfitter Second Class on the seaplane tender, USS Norton Sound. Both ships saw combat and received six and two battle stars, respectively, for their service.