Posted by dorothy m morris on September 5, 2015:

As principal of Boulevard School, Shaker Heights, I chatted with Bill's mother, Ann, each morning as she walked past my office window with the family dog. The Landefelds lived "on the Boulevard circle". Although Bill had graduated from Boulevard, his younger twin brothers were students during my tenure. When Bill was preparing for college, Ann spoke with me about West Point, knowing I was raised around that area. Our delight was Bill's acceptance and thus began 4 years of communication (I retired back to the WP area in 1980). I shall never forget a picnic lunch I brought to the Point which we shared with Bill. I gave him a huge container of chocolate chip cookies. His thank you letter told me that he and his roommate waited until lights out, hid under a blanket, turned on a flashlight and devoured every cookie. Bill and my Dad developed a close friendship because of their mutual interests in math and science. Bill's graduation celebration was in my home and we proudly sent him into the world. Bill kept in touch, visited when he came east for reunions, met his wife and shared his accomplishments. He spoke so highly of his children and knew each one so well that I often felt I knew them as well. Bill shared my sadness when my father passed away and proudly accepted the slide rule my Dad used when constructing magic cubes. The last time Bill visited, he was a civilian. He spent the day with me. He was pensive and thoughtful, remarking of the beauty of the mountains around my home---his time spent at Lake Frederick and Camp Buckner as a cadet---all places surrounding my home. Our parting was curious: something was not Bill but I respected his silence too much to ask. It was some years later that I learned of his death. I think of him often as I look at a 1981 photo of him with my Dad taken during one of his many visits. In 2 weeks, I will be able to bring closure to my grief. A military friend has located his grave and will assist me to his site at the West Point cemetery. I will place one small pebble from my property at the base. I will offer my prayers that he is at peace, I will give thanks for the honor of knowing such a wonderful young man.

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