Trenton Sailor w/Area Ties Killed at Pearl Harbor Being Returned Home

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Published on June 28 2019 10:37 am
Last Updated on June 28 2019 10:37 am
Written by Greg Sapp

A Trenton sailor lost on "The Day of Infamy" is returning home to Clinton County, and he has Effingham County ties.

The remains of Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class William “Billy” Klasing are coming back to Trenton today, 78 years after he was killed with 429 others during the Japanese torpedo attack on the Battleship USS Oklahoma.

(BILLY KLASING)

Klasing's remains were officially identified in February and for his niece, Linda Klasing Rakers, it was a day she never saw coming. Klasing's remains will be greeted by anyone who wants to line the highways from New Baden to Trenton. The motorcade will reach Route 161 in New Baden around 4 p.m., then travel northward to Trenton on Route 160, before moving east on Old Route 50 to Breese's Moss Funeral Home.

There will be another chance to welcome Klasing home Saturday morning when his remains are transported from the Trenton branch of Moss Funeral Home and taken to Trenton City Cemetery between 10:45 and 11 a.m.

Klasing was the first cousin of Lorene Frederking of Altamont. Lorene, who remembers her cousin from their childhood days, will be in Clinton County for the return home.