Pvt. William Max Wilson stone in memory in Luxembourg A memorial service for one of Miller County’s fallen heros was held in the Colquitt City Cemetery at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2010.

Members of the Colquitt American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars assisted in the memorial service.

Pvt. William Max Wilson, service no. 34685846, was killed in action on December 27, 1944, in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Max Wilson was killed in France as a result of wounds received in action. After his death, he was awarded a Purple Heart, and in later years the VFW in Colquitt was named in his memory.

Pvt. Wilson was born in Miller County, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Wilson. Max attended Miller County High School. Prior to entering service he was employed by Roy W. Bush Oil Company in Colquitt.

Pvt. Wilson’s father, Johnny Wilson, served in World War I.

An American flag presented to the family of Pvt. Max Wilson by local veterans, Gerald Jenkins and Jim East. VFW. Commander Gerald Jenkins presented the American Flag to Billy Wilson as members of the local American Legion and V.F.W. and many friends and relatives attended the memorial service.

A memorial stone in memory of the fallen hero was place in the family cemetery lot in Colquitt.

The body of Pvt. William Max Wilson is interned in Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Max is buried at Plot A, Row 6, Grave 19, along with 5,076 other American service men who were killed in battle. They are in good company since General George S. Patton Jr. is also buried with these heros.

Family members, friends, and veterans from our county gathered for the ceremony in honor of Max. Mr. Gerald Jenkins began the service with Max’s background and a brief description of his service to our country. Mr. Glen Sheffield read the 23 Psalm and led the prayer.

The service continued with Hudson Givens, Max’s greatgreat nephew, sharing facts about Max’s service to his country, how he lost his life, and some facts about Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. He continued by presenting a quote that is inscribed, at the feet of four angels, in the ceiling of the chapel at the cemetery. Hudson concluded by thanking “Max, all veterans, and the members of our Armed Forces for protecting us and providing us with the freedom we all enjoy.”

Max’s brother, Billy Wilson, thanked everyone for all they had done to honor and remember Max. He was then presented with an American flag by members of the American Legion and VFW.

Family and friends attending the ceremony were: Billy and Betty Wilson, George and Barbara Wilson, Gene and Karen Wilson, Joe and Beverly Wilson, Jill Wilson, Andrea Givens, Hudson Givens, Charles and Jeanette Jordan, Ronnie Shiver, and Ruth Tully.

Veterans of our county attending the ceremony were: Gerald Jenkins, Donald Brookins, Larry Cook, Jim East, R.D. “Buckshot” Franklin, Louie Grimes, Dennis Haire, Gerald Jenkins, Ben Johnson, Claude Newsome, Glenn Sheffield, Walter Snodgrass, and Bobby Tully.

“Greater love have no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13