https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56307703/william-alford-copher

Sergeant William A. Copher, Jr., was killed in a plane crash, June 1, in the bay of Salerno, according to word received here recently by Central Church, Houston, Texas, where he served as deacon and song leader before his induction into the army. He had been reported missing since June, but final word of his death came only a few days ago. Brother Copher was born July 20, 1918, in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1936.

He attended Texas Wesleyan College, North Texas Agricultural College, and the Texas College of Optometry, Dallas, Texas, where he received his degree in 1941. He moved to Houston in January, 1942, and opened an office at 411 Travis Street, where he practiced until July, 1944, when he entered the army.

His service with the army was in the CBI theatre. He was stationed with the One Hundred Forty-Second General Hospital, in Calcutta, during the greater part of his fourteen months' overseas service. While in Calcutta he organized a church of Christ, and worshiped faithfully while there, writing many letters detailing his experiences in that city.

The severe blow to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Copher, Sr., and his wife, Mrs. May Copher, and little son, Donald Eugene, was all the more poignant because the tragedy occurred on the very day they were expecting a wire that he had arrived in the United States. He was returning aboard a C-54 transport, with thirty-seven other servicemen, when the huge craft burned only a few miles out of Naples.

In addition to his parents, wife, and son, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Clifford Huggins, of Dallas, Texas. Brother Copher was a very able song director and capable worker with young people. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. Central Church mourns the passing of this outstanding young Christian. His death was indeed a heavy blow to this church.

To his wife, sister, and parents, as faithful fellow Christians, this church extends a deep feeling of sympathy and tender love. To his little son this congregation looks to carry on the worthy traditions of the faithful name his father earned in our midst.

Burton Coffman. - Gospel Advocate, December 5, 1946, page 1158.

William A Copher, Jr