Grandfather

In memoriam of my Grandfather..

Obituaries

William C. Metzger, 81

Decorated World War II combat veteran in Leominster

October 19, 2001

Sentinel & Enterprise

LEOMINSTER -- William C. Metzger, 81, of 5 Berkshire Drive, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, in UMass Memorial Medical Center--University Campus, Worcester, after a short illness.

He was born Sept. 6, 1920, in New York City, the son of Edward and Lillian (Briggs) Metzger, and had lived many years in Leominster. He graduated from Fitchburg State College in 1975.

Mr. Metzger had an extensive military career. As a sergeant with the 1st Engineer Combat Battalion in World War II, he fought his way ashore at Oran in Algeria on Nov. 8, 1942, and continued to fight in the North African and Tunisian campaigns. In July 1943, he battled his way onto the beachhead at Gela, Sicily, and was in active combat during the entire Sicilian operation. At H-hour on D-Day, June 6, 1944, he led his section of combat engineers onto the beach at Normandy. Sgt. Metzger fought in every action in which his battalion participated in Normandy, France, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg, including the breakthrough at Saint-Lo in northwestern France in July 1944 and the capture of Mortain, France, in early August 1944. On D-Day, the 1st Engineer Combat Battalion took part in the assault on the coast of France, performing engineering work to allow forces to breach coastal defenses. For this, the entire unit was cited for outstanding performance of duty in action.

Sgt. Metzger was first wounded during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes forests in December 1944. He refused hospitalization and continued in combat with his battalion. He was wounded for a second time during an attack on Siegfried-line positions when Nazi mortar-shell shrapnel hit him in more than 20 places. For this, he was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster. He also received the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the European Theater Ribbon with seven battle stars, the Good Conduct and American Defense ribbons, as well as the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Germany.

From 1955 to 1985, Mr. Metzger worked at the Registry of Motor Vehicles as a hearing officer and later became the assistant registrar of motor vehicles in Boston. After retiring from the registry, he worked at the Alpha Gary Chemical Corp. as director of special projects, retiring earlier this year.

Mr. Metzger was a member of the Massachusetts Motor Vehicles Inspectors Association, the Eastwood Club in Fitchburg, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association. He served as chairman of the Leominster Water Commission for many years and was a notary public and a justice of the peace.

He leaves his wife of 60 years, Hilda C. (Marcantonio) Metzger; a son, William D. Metzger of Wilbraham; a daughter, Frances Simonds of Sterling; a brother, Arthur Metzger of Hernando, Fla.; and five grandchildren.

The funeral will be held Monday from the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Anna's Church, 194 Lancaster St.

Burial will follow in St. Leo's Cemetery.

Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made either to St. Anna's Church, Restoration Fund, c/o the Rectory, 199 Lancaster St., Leominster, MA 01453, or to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Mount Royal Ave., Suite 200, Marlboro, MA 01752. Donations can also be left at the funeral home

Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

William C. Metzger, 81

October 19, 2001

Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

LEOMINSTER -- William C. Metzger, 81, of 5 Berkshire Drive, a decorated World War II veteran and a retired assistant registrar of motor vehicles, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, in UMass Memorial Medical Center -- University Campus, Worcester, after a brief illness.

He leaves his wife of 60 years, Hilda (Marcantonio) Metzger; a son, William D. Metzger of Wilbraham; a daughter, Frances Simonds of Sterling; a brother, Arthur Metzger of Hernando, Fla.; and five grandchildren. He was born in New York City, son of Edward and Lillian (Briggs) Metzger, and lived here many years. He graduated from Fitchburg State College in 1975. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a sergeant in North Africa, Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, France, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. He participated in the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded on two occasions and was awarded several medals and awards, including the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Germany. Mr. Metzger worked 30 years for the Registry of Motor Vehicles, first as a hearing officer and later as the assistant registrar in Boston before retiring. He then was director of special projects for Alpha Gary Chemical Corp., retiring this year.

He was chairman of the Leominster Water Commission for many years; a member of the Massachusetts Motor Vehicles Inspectors Association, the Retired State and County Municipal Employees Association, the Eastwood Club, and the Disabled American Veterans; and was a notary public and a justice of the peace.

The funeral will be held Monday, Oct. 22, from Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Anna's Church, 199 Lancaster St. Burial will be in St. Leo's Cemetery. Calling hours are 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Anna's Church Restoration Fund, 194 Lancaster St., Leominster, MA 01453; or to American Diabetes Association, Massachusetts Affiliate, 1 Bromfield St., Boston, MA 02108.