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Note: 1930 census: TX DONLEY 2 J-PCT 1930 [April 21st] WEBB, WILLIAM B; head, owns home, m, w, age 55, married at age 21, TX, parents-TN, farm operator Clara; wife, f, w, age 54, married at age 20, TX, father-IL, mother-MO Bernice; daughter, f, w, age 18, single, TX, parents-TX Palmer, Edgar L; son-in-law, m, w, age 30, married at age 27, TX, father-IA, mother-AL, farm helper Palmer, Agnes; daughter, f, w, age 23, married at age 20, TX, parents-TX Regarding the Military Service of Edgar Lawson Palmer [1899-1967], grandson of Archibald Monroe Dry, son of Bama Leah Dry Palmer. Aunt Leah writes: “I do know a little about Daddy's service experience. He joined the Army-Air Force during WW II. He was too old to be drafted, but felt that he really wanted to go to war to support his country. Since he was born in 1899 I would guess he was at least 41 [age 42-9/12 years]. It must have been quite a sacrifice since he had a wife and two children at home. But he did it. [Alta Marie would have been about 10 years old, Leah Clare would have been almost age 3] That left mother on her own. They converted the oil-tool plant (Reed Roller Bit Co.) where Daddy worked, into a plant to manufacture stuff for the war. It was within walking distance of our home in Houston and so Mother put on overalls and went to work as a dispatcher there. This was probably quite a sacrifice since it was a loud, dirty plant and mother was much more genteel than that. Daddy went through basic training but I guess he had some physical distress the whole time because before long they examined him and found he had trouble with his bladder. They shipped him to Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado where they determined that his problems were serious enough that they gave him an honorable discharge for medical reasons and sent him home. He was very disappointed, but it had to be.” I think the military doctors must've determined that he had a pretty serious problem but it wasn't until 1949 that it was determined that the source of all the trouble was cancer. Cancer of the urinary bladder. He had surgery in the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Houston where they completely removed his bladder. They did an experimental surgery where they attached his ureters [the duct that carries the urine from the kidneys to the bladder] to his bowel. This kept him from having to have an external drain for his urine. (It wasn't all that successful, however. He had numerous kidney infections and stones.) [but even so, he lived with that condition until 1967!] He was always considered to be a veteran of WW II, having served honorably, if only for a very short period of time. I have sweet, sweet letters from him to my Mother written (almost daily) during that time.” A transcript of his discharge: Honorable Discharge from The Army of the United States To all whom it may concern: This is to certify, that Edgar L. Palmer, 18119453 Private 556h Base Hq. & AB Sq. AAF of the Army of the United States, as a Testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service, is hereby Honorably Discharged from the military service of the United States by reason of C.D.D. per 2nd Indorsement Hq. Fitzsimons GH, Denver, Colo., May 19, 1943. Said Edgar L. Palmer was born in Dublin, in the State of Texas. When enlisted he was 42-9/12 years of age and by occupation a Tool Grinder. He had blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, and was five feet nine-1/2 inches in height. Given under my hand at Fitzsimons General Hospital, Denver, Colorado this 25th day of May, one thousand nine hundred and forty-three. Signed……. Col., Med.Corps Executive Officer. Palmer, Edgar L. 18119453, Private, Enlisted September 24, 1942, at Houston, Texas. Completed 0 years, 8 months, 2 days service for longevity pay. [paid in full May 25, 1843 amounting to $89.82] Newspaper Obituary: Edgar L. Palmer, 67, of 12437 Palm Spring, passed away Monday in a local hospital. Native of Dublin, Texas. Former resident of Austin. Houston resident 26 years. Member of Genoa Methodist Church, Clarendon Lodge 700 AF & AM, Clarendon, Texas. Veteran WWII. Retired from Reed Roller Bit Co. Survivors: Wife, Mrs. Agnes W. Palmer; daughters, Mrs. Alta Ogilvie, Mrs. Leah Burnett, all of Houston; brothers, J. A. Morris, Hamblin, Texas: G. A. Palmer, Plainview; 11 grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral services 3:30 PM Wednesday, Forest Park Funeral Chapel, with the Rev David A. Hutchins and the Rev Horace G. McMillian officiating. Graveside services under auspices of Eastgate Lodge 1153 AF & AM. Active pallbearers will be Masons. Honorary pallbearers: Men of Genoa Methodist Church. FOREST PARK FUNERAL HOME, 6900 Lawndale, Walnut 8-5141
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