Letter from Tom Williams, April 11, 2004

Clarence O. “Willie” or “C.O.” Williams grew up in Crescent, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa. He married Gretchen Klonus, before serving as a U. S. Army Medic in the 42nd (Rainbow) Division in the European theatre during the later years of the war. For reasons he never shared, he took a camera with him, and produced the carefully catalogued and documented album after returning home, ultimately settling in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Holocaust offended every principle my father taught me. It emerged as a life passion for him, above other life and war experiences, that THIS story above others, needed telling. His passion led him from national memorials, to Lincoln, Nebraska classrooms; from letters, to lectures, to this gallery. He is now “over the Rainbow.” His joy in this exhibit today would be inexpressible. He would feel immeasurably honored that he continues to play a small part in telling – that none may forget.