The Namesakes and Legacy of William George Lasch (1893-1918)

Flag of Germany (1867-1918)

William George Lasch was born on 24 September 1893, just ten months after the marriage of his parents, German immigrants John George Lasch (b. abt 1860) and Johanna M. Roth (b. 1864). They had wed on 26 November 1892, at the German Lutheran Church on Grand Street in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York. This church served as the spiritual anchor for a life that revolved around just a few city blocks; by the time William was a young boy, his father had established a bakery at 147 Union Street—less than a half-mile walk from where his parents had exchanged their vows. John George would continue to serve the local German-American community from this location for many years until his death on 20 May 1917.

In about 1916, William moved to Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, joining his sister Joanna (1895–1991) and her husband, James Robert Walters (1890–1966). While building his new life as an employee of the National Bank, William married Coralie Dickert (1896–1974) on 4 August 1917, the daughter of Curtis Lee Dickert and Lillie L. Northington. This milestone came just months after his father's passing and amidst a changing national landscape. As the United States formally entered World War I, William was called to serve his country, even as it declared war on the imperial government of his ancestral home. He answered that call as a son of America.

Eight months later, on 19 April 1918, William George Lasch was dead. The Poughkeepsie Eagle-News (New York) reported on his death the next day.

MEETS DEATH IN AUTO CRASH

Mrs. Johanna Lasch Gets News of Tragic Death of Son, Lieut. Wm. Lasch, at Camp Wheeler.

FUNERAL AT MACON

Mrs. Johanna Lasch, of 147 Union Street, received word on Friday of the death of her son, First Lieutenant William Lasch, at Camp Wheeler, Macon, Ga. He was 24 years of age. Details of his death were not given, except that he met his death through an automobile crash at camp. Lieutenant Lasch went to Macon two years ago, where his married sister lives, and secured a position in a bank in that city. He joined the State Guard in Georgia, and saw service on the Mexican border. At the outbreak of the present war, he enlisted in the heavy field artillery but was transferred to the wagon train and it is thought that he was killed in a collision of motor trucks.

Mrs. Lasch bore the sad news as bravely as possible. Her husband died only a year ago. He was George Lasch, the well-known Union Street baker. Last year, Mrs. Lasch spent her birthday, which occurs during the coming week, with her son, in Georgia. She had planned a small party this year and hoped that her son and his bride of a year could be present, for she had not seen him since last August, when he brought his young wife to visit in Poughkeepsie.

Mrs. Lasch received a letter from her son early in the week, telling of his promotion and of his much bigger salary. He said: "I am getting a great deal more money than I was, mamma, and I am glad, for I shall need it now to prepare for a great event in the early summer."

Funeral services will be held in Macon, and Mrs. Lasch will start for Georgia today.

The funeral, as well as a bit more clarification on the cause of William's death, was reported on in the 21 April 1918 Macon News (Georgia):

LIEUTENANT LASCH WILL BE BURIED HERE MONDAY AFTERNOON

With full military honors, the body of Lieut. William G. Lasch, of battery D, eighth field artillery, who was killed Friday afternoon when a big motor truck turned over a high embankment, near Swift creek trestle, will be held Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock. After funeral services at the home, 969 Courtland avenues [sic], Chaplain Edgar J. Evans, of the eighth field artillery, will conduct the service. The regimental band and battery D will attend as honorary escort. The interment will be made in Rose Hill cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from among the officers of his organization.

Lieutenant Lasch was well known in Macon. Before entering the officers' training school at Fort McPherson he was employed by the Fourth National banks and was associated with Y. M. C. A. work. He went to the Mexican border with the Macon Volunteers, and upon their return was made battalion sergeant major of the Macon battalion now doing service in France.

When he was graduated he declined a higher commission for a second lieutenancy in the regular army and was assigned to Chickamauga Park. When the eighth field artillery was ordered to Camp Wheeler he was transferred here.

Last August he married Miss Carolie [sic] Dickert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Dickert. Besides his widow, he is survived by his mother, of New York city, who will arrive Monday...

William's ledger marker in Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.
Image © 2013-2025 S. Lincecum

Remember that "great event in the early summer" William wrote about to his mother? It was likely the birth of his child. A daughter, named Billie George Lasch, was born to Coralie in Macon on 2 July 1918. Born just a few months after his tragic death, Billie was a namesake of the father she would never meet.

But she wasn't the only one. William George Walters was born on 20 April 1918, just one day after the death of his uncle. This son of the aforementioned Joanna F. Lasch and James Robert Walters seems to really have followed in his Uncle William's footsteps.

World War II Draft Card for William George Walters (1918-2009)

Not only did the younger William serve in the United States military, but he also worked with the Y.M.C.A. in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia. This branch of the Y, on the "corner Eleventh & Second Ave." was the third oldest in the nation. (It's worth noting that the elder William's brother, Frederick Carl Lasch (1903-1999), also worked with the Y.M.C.A. in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey during the 1940s.)

After a lifetime marked with service to his community and country, following the path begun by his uncle, William George Walters was laid to rest at College Park Cemetery in Fulton County, Georgia.

Image by Sgt Ed Elstan (2012) via FindAGrave.
Permission for use granted in bio.

The legacy of William George Lasch did not end in that awful accident at Camp Wheeler. It lived on through the two children born in the shadow of his passing -- his daughter, Billie, and his nephew, William. By carrying his name and following his path of service, they ensured that, although he never saw that "great event" in the summer of 1918, he was never forgotten. Thus proving that a person's story continues as long as there are those willing to carry their name and tell their tale.


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