2nd Lieutenant Edgar William Nevois

SECOND LIEUTENANT EDGAR WILLIAM NEVOIS, 21, of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, United States Army Air Forces, served with the 613th Bombardment Squadron, 401st Bombardment Group H, Eighth Air Force, and was killed in action on October 7, 1944, during a bombardment mission targeting a German synthetic oil refinery in Politz, Germany, during the Second World War.

All nine crew members of the B-17G Flying Fortress, co-piloted by Second Lieutenant Nevois, were killed in action when the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. This was their fifteenth mission.

In November 2022, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) personnel were present with a team from the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland, and found remains buried with the equipment and clothing of an American airman from the Second World War. These remains were transported to DPAA’s laboratory for scientific analysis and were identified as Second Lieutenant Nevois in the fall of 2024.

Second Lieutenant Nevois was given the Purple Heart and Air Medal for his valorous service to our country.

He was the second of eight children born to Edgar and Augusta (nee Blow) Nevois on April 10, 1923, in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. He was commonly called “Billy” by his friends and family.

Billy was working at “The United States Cartridge Co” in St. Louis when he was drafted in January 1943. After completing basic training, he was accepted for pilot training and earned his wings on February 8, 1944. He completed the B-17 Flying Fortress training at Rapid City, SD, and was then transferred to the 401st Bombardment Group stationed in Deenethorpe, England.

Living Family Members of Billy Nevois:

1 Sister: 

   Mabel Whelan  Waterloo, IL

Many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Family Members that have since passed away:

Parents:

   Edgar and Augusta Nevois

6 Siblings: 

  Elmer “Bud” (Margaret) Nevois

  Irene Haithcock,

  Virginia (Percy) Reinhold

  James Nevois

  Mary Helen (Edward) Masterson

  Robert “Bob” Nevois

1 Brother-in-law:

  LeRoy Whelan

Military Graveside Service: 

   11:30 am, Saturday, May 16, 2026

   St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery

  1299 Prairie du Rocher Street, Prairie du Rocher, Illinois

Officiating: 

   Fr. Sebastian Ukoh

Visitation:

   Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am

   Pechacek Funeral Homes

   1340 W Market Street, Red Bud, Illinois