William Wisen

Mr. Wisen was born to a poor Mennonite family and was one of 16 children. His father was a Mennonite poultry farmer and his mother was Amish. His parents immigrated from Germany because of lack of religious freedom. Mr. Wisen enlisted in the USMC in 1941 and was stationed at Camp Le Jeune, NC and the Philippines. He served for four years and was honorabley discharged as a Master Sargent. Following his military experience, he worked in the coal mines as a miner and then as General Mine Formeman for Eastern Gas and Fuel Company. He was named 'Running Bear' in the mine community because of his fast moving ability and corcern for others. He retired from the mines 20 years ago and was a member of the Moose Lodge, Elks Club and VFW. Mr. Wisen raised a family of 11 children with his wife the late Myrtle Faye Cox Wisen.