TEMPLE, TX, USA U.S. Army CPL, COMPANY F, 215TH BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTALION, FORT HOOD, TX AD DUJAYL, IRAQ 09/05/2007
Army Corporal (CPL) William T. Warford III, of Temple, Texas, died in Balad, Iraq, on September 5, 2007, from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. Billy was 24 years old and stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. He was a tank mechanic, but changed military occupations after being asked to join on patrols.
Billy was born on September 13, 1982, in Lott, Texas, to William Warford II and Jere Beal, who also had a daughter, Crystal. He spent his childhood in Lott, where Billy enjoyed sports, animals, gardening, hunting, and fishing. He was a brave and loyal youth; at the age of 10, he chased teen-aged boys who were harassing his sister Crystal. These traits carried into adulthood and served him well in the military.
The Warford family moved to Temple when Billy was 14 years old. In Temple, he met and married Shellamae “Shea” Berry. The pair were wed on March 25, 2000. Billy and Shea had two children, Aubrey Anna “Abbey” and Anthony, who were 6 and 2 years old, respectively, at the time of their father’s death.
Billy joined the Army in September 2004 and deployed to Iraq in October 2006, where he was killed serving his country almost a year later. Billy had planned to re-enlist in the military and then become a police officer. His interest in the armed forces was inspired, in part, by the service of his grandfather, William Warfield, during World War II.
He is remembered for sharing his sweet tooth with others, whether buying ice cream for his children or giving candy to children in Iraq. Billy is buried in Cloverhill Cemetery in Lott, Texas.