Willie Nelson Loyd WWI Draft Registration Card

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Willie Nelson Loyd was the brother of Don's grandmother, Ollie Ann Lloyd, and the son of John Nelson Loyd and Mary Ella Hughes. He was born on January 13, 1897 in Hockley, Texas. On June 5, 1918 he lived in Dayton, and signed this draft registration card in Liberty.

The card indicates that he was self-employed in Dayton, and that his nearest relative was his father, John Nelson Loyd. He was tall and slender, with blue eyes and sandy hair.

Willie was drafted into the army shortly after he registered. Less than six months later, he died of influenza at Camp Travis in Austin, Texas.

Of interest on this registration card is the spelling of "Loyd". Other sources indicate that the spelling had been changed to "Lloyd" in his father's generation, but this card does not indicate that.

Also of interest is the information given that Willie's father, John Nelson Loyd, was born in Hockley, Harris County, Texas. Other sources indicate that John Nelson was born near Willis in Montgomery County.

An image of the blank registration card used in the second phase of civilian draft registration in June1918 is included below.

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