Earl and Dogs

I do not have many photos of Earl Wills, my Uncle Larry, but this one is a treasure. He is young and he is handsome.  This may have been taken while he was  in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) out west during the Great Depression.

Earl Larry Wills

(1920 -1974)

Dogs Unknown

"Rosie the Riveters" in our family

During the early years of World War II (1942?) my mother and my aunt, both named Dorothy worked at the Watervelit Arsenal in Watervelit, NY.  They worked as, what has come to be called,  "Rose the Riveters".  While men were all on the war front in the Pacific, Africa, and Europe, women filled the labor gap in our nation's arsenals where military weapons were manufactured.

My cousin, also a  Dorothy, wrote a beautiful story about her mother during that time of her life.  Our cousin has generously offered to share her story on this blog......Click on the pictures to enlarge the page and you will be able to read it clearly.

and drumroll......our cousin's story about her mother..

Here is a picture of our mothers together (with one other unidentified Rosie) that may have been taken on the grounds of the Watervelit Arsenal

Aunt Dorothy told me that she was very, very good at her job and was swiftly promoted to a more demanding position where she had to be very careful not to "contaminate" the materials with random dust particles.  She was the right person for that job because she was very exacting and precise in her work- and it showed!

Posters, currently on display at the Watervelit Arsenal,  depicting the war effort on the home front and the war front.

The entrance to the Watervelit Arsenal in the 1950s and 1960s

Some who served in World War II...

Larry Wills

Arthur H. Mylott

Al Rivet, "from somewhere in England"

Wills Brothers: Earl Larry Wills

The last two children of  Libby Bissonnette and John Wills were boys. Larry Wills was the second boy born to John and Libby Wills on March 12th, 1920.

Three Wills Toddlers: Dorothy Mae, Earl Larry and Muriel Etta
Larry is surrounded by his older sisters!

Conclusion: This is Earl Larry Wills

Handsome Young Man

Earl Larry Wills and his wife, Dorothy.

Larry and wife Dorothy

An interesting story

After the war...a growing family.