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Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) School Fire, December 1, 1958




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William R. Edington, Jr.
Room Age Birthdate Grade B/G/T
211 13 4/6/45 8 Boy
Teacher
Sister Mary Helaine O'Neill, BVM
Address
922 N St. Louis 
Family
Father: William R. Edington, Sr.
Mother: Pearl (Cameron) Edington
Brother: Ronald Edington
Sisters: Patricia and Carol Edington
Grandparents: James M., Sr. and Marie Edington 
About William
Billy was the final victim to secumb to the Our Lady of the Angels fire. He died in the hospital on August 9, 1959, having never left it after the fire. Although he was age 13 on the day of the fire, he was age 14 when he passed away. 
Interred: St. Joseph (River Grove, IL)
Memories of William
I remember visiting Billy while I was undergoing some physical therapy. He was in one of the first Stryker beds.
    -- (Anonymous, Friend)
I lived next door to Billy (924 N St Louis). He was the fastest runner on the block. My most vivid pre-fire memory was a battle with the kids across the street-sailing old 78 RPM records at the other guys. Billy got a hit on his forehead-big time blood. Pearl passed out when she saw him! We both had paper routes for the old Chicago American. I took on his routes [after the fire], which doubled my income, assuming he would make it. I recall visiting him very near the end (his Dad didn't permit it sooner), but by then it was all over.
    -- (Leonard Blado, Friend)
I was a freshman at Marquette Univ. when the fire occured. I saw in the paper the names of students and the hospitals they were in. I sent Billy a card; I picked his name at random. His mother wrote me back and I kept sending cards and later gifts from Marquette, banners, sweatshirts etc. A nun from the hospital would call me about his condition. I then got word that he died on August 9. I was shattered. I had made plans with the Marquette Basketball team to greet Billy at our university when he could travel. I did not know how seriously he was burned. I visited his grave site many times and I have a wreath placed on his grave every Christmas. I now live in Indiana. I have contact to this day with two of his classmates. I wish I could have met him. God rest his soul.
    -- (Larry Giantomas, Friend)
I remember Bill from the OLA school, and from the neighborhood. I had a childish argument with Bill one day, and it was all my fault. To this day I feel sorry that I did not say I was sorry to Bill. I also remember his good mother, and father, his brother Ronald, and his dog Brownie too. Bill and his family will always be in my heart and prayers.
    -- (Buddy Fedanzo, Friend)