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Wilmington Veterans Post 49

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Post 49 received a temporary charter in 1919 and officially chartered on November 23, 1923.  William Robinson was the first commander of Post 49. 

Biography of William H. Robinson 

Bill was born in Wilmington on February 8, 1896 to Charles Bryant and Dora McFarland Robinson.  His mother died from tuberculosis in 1903 when he was just seven years old and his brother (Clarence Job) was six.  His Father (Charlie) worked as a Foreman until his retirement at the Irwin Auger Bit Company and raised the two boys with the help of a younger sister (Edna Robinson) and other relatives until he married Cynthia Jones in 1914.  Bill's step-sister, Kathryn Robinson Bullen was born to this marriage.  Through all these years, the family lived at 169 Lorish Avenue in Wilmington, OH.

Bill attended the Wilmington Schools, Wilmington College (where he was a member of the Gamma Phi Gamma) and enlisted in the Army at Blanchester in 1917 at the age of 21.  His occupation at that time was listed as Clerk.  He was discharged from the U.S. Army on April 19, 1919.  Bill returned to Wilmington, he married Gladys Williams of Sabina on October 19, 1921, they had two children - William M. Robinson and Carolyn Robinson Bonecutter.

Jobs held by Bill were:  A Clerk/Auditor for the Farquhar Furnace Company; served as Wilmington City Service Director when Clinton Nichols was Mayor, Bill also worked for Kroger Babb when Hallmark Productions was in Wilmington.  Was a Deputy Sheriff for Sheriff Floyd Foote, a teller at the Clinton County Bank & Trust Company,  part-owner/secretary of the New Vienna Corn Packing Company.  He was a director of the Union Savings and Loan Association and served as Clinton County Auditor for 14 years.  He was appointed Auditor in 1954 following the death of incumbent Auditor Alfred Osborn.  He ran for election as a Republican to that office that fall and was elected, and was subsequently reelected in 1958, 1962 and 1966.

Following gall bladder surgery in March 1968, at Clinton Memorial Hospital, Bill developed respiratory complications having been gassed in WWI and was the first patient to be airlifted by National Guard helicopter to University Hospital, Columbus, OH for specialized equipment use. On April 8, 1968 Bill passed away at the hospital due to pneumonia.  Bill was 72.

 At the time of Bill's Discharge from the Army, he had attained the rank of Sergeant.  In addition to being the First Commander of Wilmington Veterans American Legion Post 49, Bill was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wilmington Elks Lodge, Wilmington Lodge No 52 F&AM, Valley of Cincinnati Scottish Rite and the Clinton County Farmers and Sportsmen's Association.

 PLEASE CONTINUE ON TO THE FOLLOWING PAGES TO VIEW PHOTOGRAPHS; LETTERS & NOTICES CONCERNING BILL'S MILITARY SERVICE.

 ALL MEMBERS OF POST 49 WANT TO THANK BILL'S DAUGHTER; CAROLYN R. BONECUTTER FOR HER ASSISTANCE IN SUPPLYING THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND DOCUMENTS AS WELL AS BILL'S BIOGRAPHY SO THAT ALL CAN READ ABOUT OUR FIRST COMMANDER.