Comments:
Douglas Ralph Hodgson was my mother's first cousin. her name was Lexa (Knutson) Hodgson. Douglas has a twin brother David who I am still in contact with. Douglas was close to my age. His father and my mother's father
were "step brothers". I remember Douglas as a little boy when we would all play at Grandaddy and Ethel's house. As far as I know, Douglas is the only relative that I have on the Vietnam Wall. I know his death was accidental and I am sorry his life was cut so short. I have a copy of his obituary that my mother cut out of the newspaper. Rest in Peace Douglas knowing you were loved and missed. Linda (Knutson) Matranga
Douglas Ralph Hodgson was my mother's first cousin. her name was Lexa (Knutson) Hodgson. Douglas has a twin brother David who I am still in contact with. Douglas was close to my age. His father and my mother's father
were "step brothers". I remember Douglas as a little boy when we would all play at Grandaddy and Ethel's house. As far as I know, Douglas is the only relative that I have on the Vietnam Wall. I know his death was accidental and I am sorry his life was cut so short. I have a copy of his obituary that my mother cut out of the newspaper. Rest in Peace Douglas knowing you were loved and missed. Linda (Knutson) Matranga
Added: March 3, 2012
Name: William
From: Lancaster, Pa
E-mail: Contact
William F. Slusser, age 69, of Stevens, succumbed peacefully to the effects of Agent Orange at home on March 1, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. A son of the late Clark F. and Ethel (Young) Slusser, and step-son of the late Gilda Slusser and Ed Kelchner, Bill loved the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, and camping in the mountains of upstate Pennsylvania. Known as “Billy” growing up, “Slush” at work and “Poppy” to his grandchildren, he enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1961 studying as a Nike Hercules missile technician at NATO nuclear warhead school, Oberammergau , Germany . After being stationed at various missile sites, he served in Vietnam 1968-70 as an 11th Black Horse Armored Calvary tank driver. He received a Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal & Gallantry Cross, Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star. He has worked for Victor Weaver, Big Dutchman, Woolworth and last, loved driving truck for Summer’s Trucking. His favorite job was being a husband, father and grandfather. Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Ruth R. (Cairl) Slusser; children, Sonya Kessler, fiancée of Troy Hawkins; Jim (Colleen Shadwell) Slusser; Gwendolynn Myers, companion of Timothy Gallaher; William “Pete” (Lucie Hill) Slusser; and Jennifer Slusser; grandchildren, Steven, Jessica, Jamie, Kenneth, Samantha, Michael, Melissa, Rachel, Regina, Gabrielle, Chayla and Alivia; great-grandchildren, Zane, Christian, Noa and an expected great-granddaughter; Aunts, Martha Bankus and Mary Sponenberg; sisters, Bertha Hamilton, Elmira, NY; Connie Reider, Salisbury, NC; Cindy (Tom) Gensel, Berkwick; and Deb (Bob) Thennis, Mifflinville; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. Also predeceasing him were brothers in law, Jim Hamilton and Bob Reider, 2 nephews and a great-nephew.
Although Bill is no longer here in person, his family knows he’s in the heavens above looking down upon them. His memory will never fade, as they remember the kind of man he was…a hero, survivor, patriot, loving husband and proud, devoted father and grandfather.