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| Ellis J. "Willie" Williamson, aka Mr. Willie, is 94 years old and quite an active member of the community of Yaupon Cove in Onalaska. |
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Matress Mack Drops In to Onalaska to Honor WW2 Hero, YAUPON COVE, December 15, 2019 - On Saturday afternoon (12/14/19) the community of Yaupon Cove took time to honor one of its residents, Ellis J. "Willie" Williamson, aka "Mr. Willie". Mr. Willie moved to the subdivision of Yaupon Cove in 1974 and has contributed much to the community following his career as a paint salesman in the Houston area. Mr. Willie is a veteran of the Second World War and was a gunner on a bomber. He was to complete 65 missions to complete his service in the war. On his 65th mission, after his plane successfully dropped their bombs on a bridge in Vicksburg, Germany, his plane was shot down over Germany as they were returning. Mr. Willie was captured and was a prisoner of war for seven months. When he was shot down, he weighed 188 lbs. Within three months, his weight was 108 lbs. He survived by eating tree bark and snow. Prior to being shot down, his crew also bombed Omaha Beach in Operation Overlord (D-Day, Normandy, France). Mr. Willie is a man who lets his actions speak and is a man of few words. When asked about young men today who need a safe space if they see a MAGA hat, he stated, "They need to go to school and learn something". Jim "Matress Mack" McIngvale, who is a friend of Mr. Willie was delighted to show up and speak on his friend's behalf. The ceremony was the opening of the Yaupon Cove Boat Ramp that Mr. Willie funded the paving for. He was presented with a plaque for his service to the community. During his speech, Matress Mack pointed out that it's Mr. Willie, and his generation paved the way for our freedom that we enjoy today. McIngvale also stated that Mr. Willie is a man that we can look up to, not an athlete, or rap star, but the men and women from the greatest generation that came together and didn't back down from Nazi Germany or the Japanese Imperial Empire. After the ceremony, McIngvale didn't leave, being a real guy, he joined the residents at a nearby home, stood in line with everyone else, got a plate of food (hot dogs, and chips) and sat, visited, and stayed awhile.
Please enjoy the pictures and video below.
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