William Louis Brainard was born in Decatur, Illinois in 15 August 1891, the second of three sons of Francis “Frank” and Roxella (Holman) Brainard. While a resident of Chicago, Illinois, William registered for the draft noting he was working as a machinist for William Wrigley Jr and was married at the time. The date for that registration is unknown, but he registered again (or previously) on June 5 1917 in Peru then enlisted 14 Dec 1917. Following basic training, he was sent to Columbia University for six weeks and Detroit for two weeks of advanced training in engine construction in late June 1918. Chief Machinist Mate Brainard was then sent to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, for a six month stint as an instructor. He was discharged 21 Dec 1919. Upon return to civilian life, William went home to his wife Berthea and his job with Wrigley in Chicago. In 1937, William moved to Sidney, Australia, to manage the chewing gum factory of Walter Wrigley overseeing the production of the legendary Juicy Fruit brand. He died in Helenie Private Hospital, Randwick, Sidney, on 21 Apr 1949. He was survived by his Australian wife, Nellie Eileen Brainard. He was a member of the 40 and 8. There is some confusion regarding how his relationship with
Bertha ended. In records associated with her after his departure, she is
regularly listed as a widow. She lived in various places throughout Indiana,
eventually dying in Bluffton, Wells County in 1973. |
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