Name: Billy George CANTRELL Rank / Rating: F2-Fireman Second Class Service #: 358 18 60 DOB: Aug 26, 1926 From: Dallas, TX Parents: Julius and Ruby Cantrell Went Aboard: December 1, 1944 Age When Ship Went Down: 18 years, 11 months, 4 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Admin Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025
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Billy George Cantrell was 18 years old when the USS Indianapolis sank. He was born in rural Grayson County, and at a young age his father moved them all to Dallas, Texas where Billy eventually enlisted.
He was the youngest of three sons born to Julius and Ruby Cantrell. His oldest brother died at a young age, and middle brother J.W. was in the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Billy also had a first cousin, William Henry, who was like a younger brother to him.
Elders in the family remember talking to a survivor of the sinking from the North Texas area who remembered seeing Billy in the water.
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