USMC Cpl. William R. Ragsdale

Local Nashville native and WWII Veteran, Corporal William R. Ragsdale will be laid to rest seventy-eight years after his death in the Pacific Ocean Island of Saipan during World War II. Ragsdale was first believed to be wounded in action, but his status changed to missing in action and then later killed in action. He was declared non-recoverable in 1949. In January 2020, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency opened his case and through DNA was able to positively identify unknown remains buried in the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. The memorial and burial service for William Ragsdale will be held at Woodlawn Roesch Patton Funeral Home in Nashville on Saturday, August 6th, 2022, at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held on Friday, August 5th from 4:30 – 7:30 pm and on Saturday morning from 9:00 – 10:30 am prior to the service.

William Ronald Ragsdale “Bill” was born on October 22, 1920, in Columbia, Tennessee to William and Harriett Ragsdale. Bill spent most of his youth living in Nashville on 8th Avenue South with his parents and his siblings, Charlotte, Roger, and Mary Jane. Bill was athletic and was known to play baseball, softball, basketball and was also an exceptional swimmer competing on the Nashville city swim team. Bill was a class of 1939 graduate of Central High School. After graduating high school, Bill attended Vanderbilt University in 1940, but left after one semester to take a job with L & N Railroad as a locomotive mechanic. He married the love of his life, Mina Eloise Friedli, on January 24, 1942. Bill’s father William Ragsdale passed away on February 1, 1942, and shortly after Bill decided to register for service in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Bill started his military career at New River, North Carolina and worked in the skipper’s office as a clerk assisting with the company’s training activities and possible movements. He was also in charge of maintaining the muster roll and keeping the pay records. Bill was a familiar face to all in the company and was known by his fellow comrades as “Rags”. His friendly nature made him a popular figure and he was known as a great guy around camp. Bill then moved on to Camp Pendleton, California where he trained and readied for combat. In January 1944, Bill helped move all their records and belongings to Camp Maui in Hawaii. He was promoted to Corporal in March 1944. Bill was with the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, which was part of the invasion force of the island of Saipan in an effort to capture the Mariana Islands from Japan. Bill was initially reported as wounded in action on June 28, 1944. When he was unable to be found during the chaos surrounding the battle and its aftermath, his status was changed to missing in action, then by May of 1945 it was determined he was killed in action.

At the time of his death in 1944, Bill left behind his wife, Eloise, and his loving family that included his mother Harriett Rogers Ragsdale and his siblings, Charlotte Ragsdale Waggener, Roger Ragsdale, and Mary Jane Ragsdale Whitney. A memorial service was held in Nashville at the South End Methodist Church, where Bill and Eloise were married just three years prior. Eloise eventually moved on with her life, remarried and raised a family. Bill’s family never forgot about him and spoke of him often and the sacrifices he made for his country.

The living relatives of Bill’s, who never got to meet him, are honored to be a part of bringing him home after all these years and getting closure for their family who always wondered what happened to him. Bill is survived by his nephews; Jack (Janelle) Waggener of Brentwood and Roger Whitney of Silver Springs, FL. An additional nephew, Jim Whitney of Hendersonville, and niece Joy Whitney Walker of Nashville both deceased prior to learning the news that Bill had been found. Great nieces and nephews include Kerri Waggener (Nathan) Morey and Amy Waggener of Phoenix, AZ, Kristi Whitney (Steve) Gumm of Hendersonville, Kevin (Christy) Whitney of Foley, AL and Jeff Whitney of Gallatin, Scott Whitney and Chris Whitney both of West Columbia, SC and Stacey Walker (Kendall) Brent of Hendersonville, TN.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Ragsdale family.