Need help finding owner or descendants of a sterling ID bracelet plate.

[Digger54]

I don't have access to military records and my glass is half empty even getting a response from them over past experiences. Maybe someone who is a little more internet savvy than I can get somewhere. If I'm able to return the item I will be foremost in sharing the credit.

This was dug in Beaufort SC not far from a VFW/old fair grounds. I read it as "William B or G Shuttafer USMCR 953901" USMCR of course refers to United States Marine Corps Reserve, and the number following it is his service number.

 

[Red-Coat]

Very commendable of you. I believe it reads “WILLIAM G. SHOTTAFER” who was born in 1908 and died in 1975. Here’s his burial record from ‘findagrave’:

William G. Shottafer (1908-1975) - Find a Grave...

Find a Grave memorial for William G. Shottafer born 29 Apr 1908 and died 25 Aug 1975. Buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica, Oneida County, New York, United States of America, North America

www.findagrave.com

Looks like all his immediate family are deceased, including his wife Kathleen and his sister Helen Louise. There’s no mention of any children (although that doesn’t mean he had none, since the site only records deceased people unless they are mentioned as mourners in an obituary).

Might give you something to go on, though in tracing possible children.

 

[Digger54]

Found that G stands for George. Also found this but nothing more... SHOTTAFER, WILLIAM G (father) and KATHALEE WHEELER had a son, known by these 2 names: JAMES E SHOTTAFER and JAMES EDWARD SHOTTAFER, born 13 December 1930 in UTICA ONEIDA, New York, who had Social Security number ......... , and died 29 November 1998, while residing in Zip Code 32034-4545. Think James has a daughter with same last name living in same town where he passed away.

 

[Red-Coat]

Extracted from Fernandina Beach News-Leader obituaries:

Dr. James E. Shottafer, who passed away in 1998, was a Professor of Wood Technology and head of the Forest Products Laboratory at the University of Maine.

Marilyn Howland Shottafer of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away on 13 November 2018. She had married Dr. James E. Shottafer in 1953, and together they made their home in Maine, where she was employed as an administrative assistant for the University of Maine. They moved to Fernandina Beach, Fla. in 1992.

She leaves behind her daughter, Kathleen Gerrish of Fernandina Beach; son, Michael Shottafer of North Las Vegas, Nev.; and her beloved grandchildren, Benjamin James Gerrish, Abigail Noel Gerrish, and Lindsey Claire Gerrish. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends.

 

[Mackaydon]

One source I have used effectively in similar situations is to contact the cemetery and ask for current contact information (if it should exist) for one of the family or friend.
Don in SoCal

 

[Digger54]

Extracted from Fernandina Beach News-Leader obituaries:

Dr. James E. Shottafer, who passed away in 1998, was a Professor of Wood Technology and head of the Forest Products Laboratory at the University of Maine.

Marilyn Howland Shottafer of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away on 13 November 2018. She had married Dr. James E. Shottafer in 1953, and together they made their home in Maine, where she was employed as an administrative assistant for the University of Maine. They moved to Fernandina Beach, Fla. in 1992.

She leaves behind her daughter, Kathleen Gerrish of Fernandina Beach; son, Michael Shottafer of North Las Vegas, Nev.; and her beloved grandchildren, Benjamin James Gerrish, Abigail Noel Gerrish, and Lindsey Claire Gerrish. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends.

I sent FB messages to a Kathleen Gerrish and to the wife of James Shottafer. I also replied to one of James posts on FB to message me. Problem is most of the accounts have been inactive for the last couple years.

 

[k0bgalan]

Amazing. Ask (seek?) and you shall find. Congrats.

 

[russau]

Digger what a noble effort on your part ! Good luck SALUTE

 

[Digger54]

Very commendable of you. I believe it reads “WILLIAM G. SHOTTAFER” who was born in 1908 and died in 1975. Here’s his burial record from ‘findagrave’:

William G. Shottafer (1908-1975) - Find a Grave...

Find a Grave memorial for William G. Shottafer born 29 Apr 1908 and died 25 Aug 1975. Buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica, Oneida County, New York, United States of America, North America

www.findagrave.com

Looks like all his immediate family are deceased, including his wife Kathleen and his sister Helen Louise. There’s no mention of any children (although that doesn’t mean he had none, since the site only records deceased people unless they are mentioned as mourners in an obituary).

Might give you something to go on, though in tracing possible children.

Regardless of the outcome I appreciate your point in the right direction! You are better than AI

 

[cudamark]

Regardless of the outcome I appreciate your point in the right direction! You are better than AI

He IS AI.....Automatic Information!