Page 38 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Fall 2021 - Online Magazine
P. 38
Willie Modisette
WWII POW army
by Jane Bromley wwII
Eventually,
the Allies were
victorious,
and Willie was
released. He
returned home to
Wayside and was
soon able to buy
a small farm. He
sent for Doreen.
hen WWII broke out, shipped out By then, she was
Willie Modisette of to Germany. 21; he was 38.
WWayside, TX, enlisted Even though her
at the age of 35. He was number Willie wasn't on the front lines family had never met Willie, they
five of 16 children and one of five long before he was captured, consented, and Doreen came to
siblings who also served. He was and he spent 14 long months in a Texas. Despite the age difference,
stationed in England for a short German prison camp. Willie was they enjoyed nearly 66 years
time, where he met a young girl able to send (censored) letters together. Willie died in 2012 at
named Doreen Hartland who home to his mother. He would the age of 104, but not before
was 17 years his junior. Doreen ask about the family, the weather, finally getting to meet Doreen’s
and her girlfriend would bicycle her garden. She didn't know family on a trip to England in
from Coventry to visit the GIs until later that his back had been 1970. Mrs. Modisette is 96 now
in the camp. Willie and Doreen broken, and she never heard that and happens to be the lady
fell for each other and planned they sometimes boiled their shoe whom Jerry Morris asked if she
a picnic to meet her family, but leather to add flavor to the water. would mind being his mother-in-
before they could meet, he was law.
38 Amarillo Senior Link
