William A. UNDERWOOD died at Mt. Vernon Hospital at 6:15 o'clock this morning of burns suffered at 12:50 a.m. yesterday when his apartment house at 317 Main Street caught fire. His age was 65 years 4 months and 2 days. The fire originated in a basement room where Mr. UNDERWOOD was sleeping. Apparently overcome by smoke, he collapsed on a stairway leading from the basement and was carried from the smoke-filled building by Fire Chief Paul PARTRIDGE. Coroner Ben ROEDER said he would conduct an inquest in the case at seven o'clock tonight at Myers Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Myers Chapel, conducted by Rev. Thomas E. HARPER and Rev. Acle ROBINSON, and burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may view the body at the Chapel at any time after 4 p.m. Wednesday until the funeral hour.

Mr. UNDERWOOD was born October 21, 1877 in Dahlgren, the son of W. B. and Arabelle (HUTCHISON) UNDERWOOD.

He was a machinist instructor at the NYA resident training camp here at the time of his death. He was a formerly an automobile dealer.

His wife, Florence, preceded him in death in February 1912.

He is survived by his aged mother, 300 Harrison; two sons, W. A. UNDERWOOD, Jr., of Oakland, California and Vernon B. UNDERWOOD of San Francisco, California; one daughter, Mr. L. T. ROPER of Birmingham, Ala.; three brothers, Olan of Evansville, Ind., Edward L. and C. L. of Los Angeles, California; three sisters, Mrs. Jermome HOOK of Dahlgren, Mrs. G. B. BUCK of Denver, Colo., and Mrs. A. A. TYLER of Mt. Vernon; and four grandchildren.

Source: Mount Vernon Register News
Date: February 23, 1943
Submitted by Mary Zinzilieta