Name: Billy George CANTRELL Rank / Rating: F2-Fireman Second Class Service #: 358 18 60 DOB: Aug 26, 1926 From: Dallas, TX Parents: Julius W. and Ruby Cantrell Went Aboard: Dec 01, 1944 Age When Ship Went Down: 18 years, 11 months, 4 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Admin Date Posted: Apr 21, 2026
CANTRELL, Billy G
Billy George Cantrell was 18 years old when the USS Indianapolis sank. He was born in rural Grayson County, and at a young age his father moved them all to Dallas, Texas where Billy eventually enlisted.
He was the youngest of three sons born to Julius and Ruby Cantrell. His oldest brother died at a young age (after 1940), and middle brother J.W. was in the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Billy also had a first cousin, William Henry, who was like a younger brother to him.
Elders in the family remember talking to a survivor of the sinking from the North Texas area who remembered seeing Billy in the water.
Source Credits
The Whitewright Sun (Whitewright, TX), Thur, Aug 16, 1945, p. 1; citing Billy George Cantrell MIA.
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Rank / Rating: F2-Fireman Second Class
