William F. Ruwell

William F. Ruwell, Jr., 89, formerly of Philadelphia, PA, died August 20, 2004 at the Bel Air Nursing Home in Goffstown, NH. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 17, 1915, the son of William F. and Sydey (Smith) Ruwell, Sr., and had been a resident of Philadelphia for nearly all of his life. He was a World War II Navy Veteran. On November 20, 1944, he was serving aboard the USS Mississinewa, a Naval Refueling Ship, when it was struck by a Kaiten (Imperial Japanese Navy manned suicide torpedo with a 3, 418 lb. warhead), became totally engulfed in flames and subsequently sank with a loss of 63 U.S. Sailors and one Japanese Kaiten pilot. When the ship was sinking off the coast of the Ulithi Atoll in the South Pacific Ocean, he was responsible for rescuing eleven sailors and the story was made into a film documentary in the US and Canada. After his military career, he was a general parts manager for several automotive companies for over 45 years. He was the widower of Jessie (Corn) Ruwell who died in 2001. Family members include two sons, William F. Ruwell, III of Dunbarton, NH and Richard Ruwell of Oreland, PA; one grandchild and several nephews, nieces and cousins. After cremation, inurnment will take place in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Manchester, NH, is in charge of arrangements. To view an on-line memorial or get directions, go to www.phaneuf.net.