William J. Anderson

William J. “Bill” Anderson, 97, of Kent died on Saturday, February 12, 2022.  Bill had been in declining health since the death of his wife Oleta on January 4, 2020, and he had been living at home with his son.

Bill was born in Randolph, Ohio to Thomas and Evelyn (File) Anderson on December 2, 1924.  He was raised in New Milford, and he graduated from Rootstown High School in 1942.  Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Bill served in World War II in an Army Unit that remained “Top Secret” until 1986.  The unit became known as the Ghost Army, and it specialized in deceptive warfare utilizing inflatable tanks, trucks, and artillery to mask the true size and location of American troops.  They played sound recordings to suggest troop movements, and radio communications were sent to confuse German intelligence.  The deception of the Ghost Army saved the lives of thousands of American troops, but their activities remained clouded in secrecy.  Bill’s participation included working with the French Resistance in France and Belgium, often working behind enemy lines.  Records, contacts, and other information provided by Bill after the “Top Secret” declassification assisted others in the development of three books and a movie that finally told the story of the Ghost Army.

Bill married Oleta Ashton of Kent in 1946, and the couple moved to Angola, Indiana while Bill attended college.  He graduated in 1948 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, specializing in electronics.  He, his wife, and a young son then returned to New Milford, Ohio.  While living in New Milford, Bill was employed at Goodyear Aircraft Corporation where he worked as a System Design Engineer on blimps.

In 1953 Bill and the family moved to Massachusetts where Bill worked for Columbia Broadcasting System in the engineering, development, and sales of semi-conductors.

In 1956 Bill and the family moved to Los Angeles, California where Bill was employed by TRW Electronics, Inc. in the engineering, development, and sales of electronics with emphasis on applications for the defense industry.  Over the years Bill remained in the electronics/aerospace industry with employment at Deutch Corporation, Semetex Corporation, and Hughes Aircraft Corporation.  He eventually became a consultant for the industry.  During this same period he also kept close contact with various individuals and organizations associated with national defense.  He continued to use his war time skills and contacts along with his expertise in electronics for the defense of his country.  Bill would never talk about any of these activities, but pieces of information began to appear years later, as security restrictions were lifted.

In 1994 Bill retired, and he and Oleta moved back to Kent where they were active in civic affairs.  Bill served on the Kent Planning Board, while Oleta served on the Zoning Appeals Board and the Board of Trustees of the Portage Area Rapid Transit Authority.

On February 1, 2022 the President of the United States signed a bill that bestows the Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the Ghost Army.  At the time of the signing only 10 members of the Ghost Army remained alive.  Two days before he died, Bill Anderson was told that his unit was finally getting its Congressional Gold Medal.  He looked up and smiled.

Bill is survived by his son, William J. Anderson III.

There will be no services.  Bill and Oleta’s ashes will be interred at Standing Rock Cemetery.

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.