Honoring Service: Veteran William “Traverse” Black
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William “Traverse” Black was born on November 21, 1917, in Davenport City, Iowa, to Gertrude Josephine Zirkel (age 21) and William Travers Black (age 20). He had four brothers and three sisters.
Date of Birth: 11/21/1917
Died On: 12/22/1996 Last Residence: 04061, North Waterboro, York, Maine
Street Address: 396 Midland Ave
Service Number: unknown
Branch of Service: U.S. Army -WWII
In 1928, the family relocated to Rye and settled at 396 Midland Avenue. They were active members of the Church of the Resurrection. William graduated from Rye High School in the Class of 1936. During his time in high school, he played football and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Traverse enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served in 1945. Unfortunately, his brother Thomas Maynard Black lost his life in action at Iwo Jima.
On May 24, 1941, he married Constance Lillian DNapoli, and together they had four children.
Traverse and his family were long-term residents of the Hartford, Connecticut area. He worked for Southern New England Telephone Co for many years and retired in 1984. He was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
William Traverse Black passed away on December 22, 1996, in North Waterboro, Maine, at the age of 79.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Constance Lillian Black (Concettina Elina DiNapoli), his sons Ronald M. (Dianne) Black of Houlton, Maine, William V. (Gerry) Black of Marlborough, Connecticut, his daughters Sandra C. (Basil) Bocynesky of Sun Lakes, Arizona, and Elaine (David) Mendelin of Calumet, Michigan. He also left behind seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Three brothers, Vincent of California, James of Arkansas, and John of Florida, along with three sisters, Marion Fredricks of Melbourne, Florida, Carol Maragnano of Hartford, Connecticut, and Barbara McConnville of Manchester, Connecticut, survived him. His brother Charles of Rye, New York, predeceased him. More on Black.
