Ware Shoals

Julius D. Massey

Julius D. Massey, 83 of 469 Free Bridge Road died July 1, 2009. He was born in Greenville County, a son of the late John William and Hattie Pearl Chapman Massey.
Mr. Massey was a self employed contractor and went into the US Navy during WWII at the age of 15.

During WWII , he served on the SS Peter Lassen through 137 air attacks in a thirty day period and shot down a Japanese Betty Bomber. Mr. Massey, along with others, was written up for commendation of service and it is recorded in the National Archives and Records Administration.

Service on the SS Peter Lassen took him to Fremantle, Australia, Colombo and Calcutta India, Leyte, Phillipines, Solomon Islands, Hollandia Dutch, and New Guinea. After transferring to the SS Alfred Victory, he was in Okinawa, Buckner Bay and was in the typhoon called “Louise” where he almost died.

Survivors are: Doris M. Street, Honea Path, Hanna Massey, Waterloo, son, Christopher Scott Massey, Honea Path, step son, Michael Smith, Leander, Texas, daughters, Adrienne Faith Hennes Seneca, Susan Haddon, Honea Path, Gwen Johnson, Hartwell, Ga., step-daughters, Cheryl Lusk, Due West, and Johanna Gunter, Spartanburg, sisters, Willie D. Watson, Ware Shoals and Sylvia Karakul, Cleveland, Ohio and eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be conducted Friday, 11 am at Oak Hill United Methodist Church with Rev. Billy Slatten and Rev. Dan Blair officiating.

The families are at their respective homes and will receive friends after the service in the Social Hall. Parker-White Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.parkerwhitepruitt.com.