Ellie Brewer’s Home
Plymouth, North Carolina
December 14, 1941
The last seven days were the toughest
Ellie had ever endured. The uncertainty of Billy’s fate had
destroyed her appetite. She lost weight, and for the first time in
her adult life, the daughter of Plymouth’s most prominent
businessman was looking a bit less than glamorous—and people were
starting to notice.
To her dismay, the local press in Washington and Martin Counties had taken an interest in Billy’s whereabouts.
The Martin County bi-weekly, the Enterprise, featured a front-page headline on Tuesday, the ninth of December. The story was short and poignant, almost like an obituary before the fact.
Not to be outdone, Plymouth’s weekly newspaper, the Roanoke Beacon, countered with its own front-page story on Wednesday, the tenth.
Fate of Plymouth Man Stationed on Battleship Still Unknown.
Congressman Bonner Visits Family.
Billy Brewer, son-in-law of prominent Plymouth businessman Jimmy Williams, was stationed on board the USS Arizona when Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by Japanese torpedo bombers on Sunday, December 7. Brewer, a former Kekauver employee and a native of Jamesville, joined the Navy in July and trained in Great Lakes, Illinois before being assigned to the Arizona in Hawaii in October. As of the date of this publication, Brewer’s whereabouts remain unaccounted for. However, the Navy has released figures showing that most crew members of the Arizona died in the attack.
Brewer married Ellie Williams of Plymouth at Grace Episcopal Church in December of 1930. The couple has two children and the family resides at 302 Washington Street, in the historic Windley-Ausbon house. Ellie Williams declined to comment, but Jimmy Williams spoke to the Beacon about his son-in-law. According to Mr. Williams, Billy is a very brave man who had been working at the mill and joined the Navy because he wanted to serve his country. “Billy wanted to prove himself,” Williams said. “He didn’t wait to be drafted. He volunteered for the Navy. He is a true hero.”
Since Sunday’s attack, a stream of visitors and even some dignitaries have dropped by the Williams home on Washington Street to offer support. Congressman Herbert C. Bonner, a close friend of Jimmy Williams, visited with Ellie Williams yesterday and then had dinner with Jimmy and Nancy Williams at their home on Woodlawn Road before returning to Washington. Yesterday, Ellie Williams also received a telegram from Governor Melville Broughton, according to her father. “We’re thankful for all the encouragement Ellie has received during these difficult days and especially appreciate the telegram from the governor and the visit from Congressman Bonner. I think the congressman’s visit lifted Ellie’s spirits.”
Plymouth Mayor Archie Riddle, who also had dinner with the Williamses and Congressman Bonner, released a statement to the Beacon about the fate of Mr. Brewer.“The attack on Pearl Harbor strikes not only the heart of our nation, but it strikes at the heart of our community, as one of our own families has been affected. I’ve known Ellie Williams Brewer from the time she was a little girl. We’ve seen her grow up into a lovely young lady, go off to St. Mary’s, and return to Plymouth to start a family of her own. Leone and I call upon all citizens of Plymouth and Washington County to join us in prayer as we remember Ellie, Billy, and their family in this time of uncertainty for them and in this dark hour in our nation’s history.”
The Beacon article stirred up a commotion in both Jamesville and Plymouth. To the few who had not already heard, the article served notice on everyone that Billy’s fate was twisting in the wind.
Ellie detested the circus of visitors constantly knocking at her front door. Many had come because of the article. The lineup of curiosity seekers, many whom she did not know or hadn’t seen in years, seemed like a week-long Halloween in December. She had no news and no candy for these Yuletide goblins and wished most of them would go away and leave her alone.
Becky Estep had been a godsend, especially in the last week. More than proficient in the kitchen, Becky kept hot meals on the table for the kids and urged Ellie to eat, to no avail. She cared for the children and provided companionship during the lonely night hours. She also shielded Ellie from what seemed like a deluge of humanity waiting outside for news from Billy. When the doorbell rang, which occurred often during the day, Becky would greet the curiosity seekers, answer their questions, and turn them away by saying that Ellie was resting.
One person not turned away was Congressman Herbert C. Bonner, who arrived unannounced with Jimmy. Ellie knew Bonner and his predecessor, former Congressman Lindsey Warren, for years.
Of course, it’s not all that hard to get to know a congressman when your daddy is one of his biggest contributors in a relatively poor district. Both men had visited the Williams estate on Woodlawn Road many times and had bounced Ellie on their knees when she was a little girl.
Bonner arrived in the middle of the afternoon on Tuesday the ninth, just long enough to offer his best wishes to Ellie and to vow that the Federal Government would do all in its power to locate Billy. The consummate politician, he brought candy for Little Billy and Margaret and then left for a meeting with Mayor Riddle and Jimmy Williams. Altogether, he had been in her home no more than fifteen minutes.
Despite Jimmy’s comments in the Beacon, Bonner’s visit did nothing to lift her spirits. To her, a visit from a congressman was no big deal. Her stomach had been in knots since news of the attack, and it wouldn’t have mattered if her father had brought down FDR himself to encourage his daughter. She didn’t feel like seeing anyone at all, with two exceptions—her brother-in-law and her pastor.
On Sunday the fourteenth, Ellie did not attend services at Grace Episcopal. The last thing she needed at the moment was to get out in public and get pummeled with a barrage of questions. Becky prepared an early lunch for the family, cleaned the kitchen, and asked Ellie to step into the parlor.
“You still didn’t eat your lunch, Ellie. I’m starting to think I’m losing my culinary touch.”
“I’m sorry, Becky. You’re a great cook. Just look at how the kids cleaned their plates. I’m sure my appetite will return soon enough.”
“Ellie, I’m worried about you. You’ve got to eat something. You’re going to lose your strength. Do I need to call your brother-in-law down here at every meal to keep you from starving yourself?”
The comment grabbed Ellie’s attention. Becky had never made a reference to Walter before. “What do you mean by that?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything at all. I . . . well, I’m sure Billy would want you to eat something.”
“But what did you mean by that comment about my brother-in-law?” Ellie persisted.
“I was out of line, Ellie. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. What I really—”
“Becky,” Ellie interrupted. “It’s okay. You can tell me anything. You’re not gonna get fired, and I won’t hold it against you. Go ahead, what did you mean about my brother-in-law?”
“It’s just that Walter seems to be the only one able to get you to eat anything. And also it’s . . . I think I’ve said enough.”
“Go ahead, Becky. You can’t start a comment like that and leave it hanging.”
“Are you sure you want to hear this?” Becky wished she hadn’t opened her mouth.
“It’s okay, Beck. I need to know what other people are thinking.”
“I haven’t talked to other people.”
“All right then. What are you thinking?”
“It’s just the way you and Walter look at each other.”
“You detect something in the way we look at each other?”
Is it that obvious, or is this girl that sharp? Ellie wondered.
“Maybe it’s nothing. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, I’m glad you did. You know I want you to tell me what’s on your mind. And I appreciate all you’ve done for the kids and me these past few months. We’ll miss you, but I hope you have a great time over the holidays with your family.”
“Ellie, I’ve been thinking. I don’t feel right about leaving you and the kids, especially under the circumstances.”
“Don’t be silly, Becky. The kids are out of school. I’ll be able to manage. Besides, I can take them to Mother’s if I need a break. You deserve some time with your family.”
“Ellie, I never had a big sister. I’ve grown so fond of the children over these months. I feel like you are my family too. I feel like I need to be with you. I want to be with you when the news comes.”
“You want to be here to support me when I get word that my husband has been killed, don’t you?”
“I want to be here either way. Besides, Mayor Riddle made the comment the other day that no news may be good news. There’s still reason for hope,” Becky said.
“I appreciate your kind words, but my instinct tells me otherwise. Some people are hoping against hope that Billy’s still alive. All the signs are ominous. Billy was on the ship that took the biggest hit. There was a huge explosion before it sunk. Over a thousand men went down. Even the captain of the ship and an admiral died. Anybody with half a brain knows the statistical odds are not good. I’m not about to delude myself into thinking otherwise.”
“I know it doesn’t look good, Ellie. All the more reason you still need someone if the news does come. I mean, there will be a lot of decisions that would need to be made, and the last thing you would need to do is have to make those decisions and worry about the kids too.”
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one real decision still outstanding,” Ellie said.
Becky was silent—probably unsure whether to pursue this discussion. But it was obvious Ellie wanted to talk about it. “What decision would that be, Ellie?”
“Where to bury him. That is, if we ever find him. Daddy thinks we should bury him at Grace Episcopal here in Plymouth. But Billy was no Episcopalian. Not even close. He was a Jamesville boy. I think Jamesville Community Cemetery would be more appropriate.”
“Why does your father favor Grace Episcopal Cemetery?”
“Because if Billy’s buried there, Daddy thinks I would be buried beside him. Daddy and Mother already have their plots there. Burying Billy there is Daddy’s way of ensuring that the whole family would be in the same cemetery. He won’t say this, but I know him. He’s afraid that if Billy is buried in Jamesville, I would be buried there beside him. The thought of having his little girl buried anywhere other than . . .” Ellie caught herself.
“Ellie, you’re too young to think about where you’re going to be buried,” Becky said.
“I’m old enough to know that Jamesville Cemetery is not much of an option, at least not for me.”
“You don’t want to be buried with your husband?”
“Becky, you’ve been with us going on five months now. You’re a sharp girl. You can read between the lines. That’s very obvious from this conversation. But Billy was a fabulous father, and Little Billy worshipped the ground he walked on. Helping him deal with this is going to be the hardest thing I have to do.”
“All the more reason I would like to stay over the holidays. Ellie, I’d stay free of charge. Please consider it.”
As Ellie smiled and took Becky’s hand, the sound of a slamming car door from the street in front of the house grabbed her attention. Ellie looked out and saw a black Model A with U.S. Government tags. Two tall and slim naval officers in service dress-blue uniforms emerged and headed up her front walkway.
“Becky, a couple of naval officers are out front. We’re about to get our answer. Could you please take the children upstairs and keep them there until I call you down?”
Becky’s face flushed white. She looked like she felt more nervous than Ellie. “Of course. I’ll get them right now.”
Becky rushed the children upstairs as the officers rapped on the front door.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen.”
“I’m Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Lettow from the Naval Station in Norfolk. This is Lieutenant Dennis Ornsby of the Navy Chaplain Corps. We’re looking for Mrs. Ellie Brewer.”
“Commander, Lieutenant. I’m Ellie Brewer. I’ve been expecting you. Please come in.”
The officers removed their covers as Ellie motioned them to sit on an antique davenport by the front window in the living room. Ellie sat in a pink wingback chair across the room. A sunbeam streamed through the window behind the officers, illuminating the middle of the living room floor.
Ellie had replayed this moment over and over in her mind for the past week and had resolved to remain calm. Her efforts were failing. Now she felt her heart pounding like a jackhammer against her chest. She looked down and saw her hands trembling.
“Commander, in my mind, I thought I was ready to hear this news. I’ve been preparing myself for this all week. But right now, I’m not sure I can take it alone. Could I call my pastor and my husband’s brother to see if they could be here with me if you’re planning to announce my husband’s death?”
Ornsby looked at Lettow, who nodded. Receiving the approval of his superior officer, Lieutenant Ornsby spoke up. “Mrs. Brewer, take all the time you need. Call whomever you’d like. We can stay all afternoon or even into the evening if we need to. If you prefer, we can leave and come back later.”
“No, that won’t be necessary. Just wait here please.” Ellie went into the kitchen and dialed Swan 3-3295, the number for Grace Episcopal Rectory. Within seconds, the warm voice of Reverend Francis Fordham was on the line.
“Father Francis?”
“Yes?”
“This is Ellie.”
“I’m glad you called, Ellie. I was hoping to stop by and see you later this afternoon.”
“Father, a couple of naval officers have just come to the door. Could you come sooner?”
“I’ll be there in two minutes.”
Ellie hung up the phone and with her hands shaking dialed Swift 2-3875, Walter’s number in Jamesville.
“Hello?”
At the sound of Walter’s voice, Ellie broke into sobs.
“Ellie, is that you?”
Ellie tried to catch hold of herself. “I’m sorry, Walter. Two naval officers are here. It’s about Billy. I thought I was ready for this. I guess I’m not.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
As Ellie hung up with Walter, she could hear Francis Fordham come through the front door and speak with the officers.
“I’m Francis Fordham from Grace Episcopal here in Plymouth. I’m Ellie’s pastor.”
Ellie could hear Commander Lettow speak up. “Good to meet you, Reverend Fordham. I’m Lieutenant Commander Lettow and this is Lieutenant Ornsby. I’m sad to say we’re here on bereavement detail. Mrs. Williams wanted to call you and her brother-in-law, I believe.”
“Have you told her anything yet?”
“No sir, not formally,” Lettow responded. “I think she knows, but she requested we delay the formal announcement until you and her brother-in-law arrived. Of course, we honored her request.”
“Where is she now?”
“I think she’s in the galley. Excuse me, the kitchen.”
“It’s all right, Commander. I was enlisted Navy, serving in the Atlantic in the Great War.”
When Fordham opened the kitchen door, Ellie was silently weeping. Still outfitted in his black shirt and white collar from the morning’s homily, the friendly bear of a man in his late fifties walked over to her and gave her a gentle hug. Then he offered her a handkerchief.
Dabbing her eyes, Ellie spoke up. “I feel so guilty, Father Francis. I was never a good wife to Billy. If I had been a good wife or if I had been better than I was, maybe he wouldn’t have left.”
“It’s all right, honey. Billy would have been drafted anyway. Nobody thought that Hawaii, of all places, would be attacked. You can't second-guess yourself. You have been a good wife, and you are a great mother.”
“Father, would you offer the officers something to drink please? I’m being a terrible hostess.”
“Absolutely.”
Fordham prepared glasses of iced tea for Ornsby and Lettow. Then he went back into the living room, where Ellie heard him engage the officers in small talk for a few minutes. Ellie was still alone in the kitchen when she heard Walter arrive and introduce himself to the naval officers.
“Hi. I’m Walter Brewer. I’m Billy’s brother.”
“I’m Lieutenant Commander Lettow. This is Lieutenant Ornsby. We’re from the Navy in Norfolk.”
“Where’s Ellie?”
“She’s in the kitchen, Walter,” Ellie heard Fordham say.
His appearance at the door brought her to her feet, her heart leaping for the first time. She wrapped her arms around him and sobbed.
“This is it, Walter. They’re going to tell us Billy is dead.”
“I know, Ellie. Billy was brave, and he’d want us to be brave.”
Walter rubbed her head for a few minutes until she gained her composure. “Okay Ellie, let’s be brave like Billy. Let’s go out there and deal with this news. We’ll all get through this.”
Ellie wiped her eyes as Walter put his hand on her back and led her into the living room. She sat in the same pink chair with Walter standing behind her.
“Commander,” Walter spoke up. “We are ready to receive your news.”
“Very well,” Lettow began. “Mrs. Brewer, on behalf of the President of the United States, it is with deep sorrow and regret that I must inform you that your husband was killed in service to his country in the Hawaiian Islands on December 7, 1941. As you know, your husband was stationed on board the USS Arizona, which took very heavy damages and was sunk in the Japanese surprise attack on Oahu. While I realize this news is of very little consolation in your time of bereavement, it is also my duty to inform you that your husband will receive the Navy Cross posthumously for valor displayed before he was killed. Seaman Brewer was spotted manning a 50-caliber antiaircraft gun and single-handedly shot down several Japanese aircraft in the early minutes of the attack. He was brave and heroic against heavy odds.”
With Walter’s hand on her shoulder, Ellie took a deep breath and spoke up. “Thank you for helping us bring closure to this, gentlemen. I am proud of Billy, and I’m sure his son will be proud that his father died a hero.”
“You have every right to be proud, ma’am,” Lettow said.
“Commander, I take it Billy’s body was recovered?” Walter asked, his voice quaking.
“As you may have read in the press, most crew members of the Arizona went down with the ship. Seaman Brewer’s body was recovered floating in the harbor. We made a positive identification by dental records and his military dog tag.”
“What are our burial options, Commander?” Ellie asked.
“Ma’am, your husband is entitled to burial with full military honors, if you so choose. A number of those whose bodies are being recovered are being buried in Hawaii. There’s a new cemetery on Oahu called the Punchbowl, which is high on a hill overlooking Diamond Head. It is a gorgeous place. Or, if you prefer, we can ship him back home to North Carolina for burial.”
Ellie looked at Walter then spoke resolutely. “Gentlemen, bring my husband home. We will set the funeral at the First Christian Church in Jamesville, burial to be in Jamesville Community Cemetery with full military honors. I want my son to see his daddy buried as a hero.”