Passing of a hero: World War II opened up on Navy career

Billy Loop

McCOOK, Neb. — Southwest Nebraska lost a local hero recently with the passing of Billy Loop last week at the age of 97.

The World War II veteran, originally from Stratton, opened up to the Gazette in 2011 about his service time during the naval battle of Vella Lavella. Loop had previously kept most accounts of the ordeal to himself, a 67-year silence that might be attributed to survivors’ remorse.

Loop’s willingness to break his silence stemmed from the passing of a long-time friend who was also, unbeknownst to Loop until the funeral, a military veteran. The experience subsequently led to several Gazette feature stories popular with both strangers and long-time friends or family members of Billy Loop.

The late Dorothy and Billy Loop with their youngest daughter, Dana, in San Francisco, circa 1944. Dorothy and Dana made the trek from Nebraska to greet Billy between naval assignments. Only a few months prior Dorothy had received a Western Union telegram stating Billy was wounded and missing in action following the bombing of LST-448. Today, Dana and her husband, Rich Frakes, reside in Trenton. Dorothy passed away in 2010 and Billy followed last week.

Courtesy photo

The articles have since been immortalized on the Gazette website and family members were recently given access to the raw-audio recordings of the interview with Loop, in hopes it may provide additional insight for generations to come.

Loop’s impact on Southwest Nebraska went further than just the presence of a decorated military veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart, among other medals. He was the founder of Trenton Electric and L&L Plumbing and Heating in McCook and played an early role in establishing the electrical foundation for many of McCook’s residential housing developments.

His obituary posted to the Gazette website earlier this week also touts his volunteer work at the McCook Food Pantry and membership in several fraternal organizations. Perhaps most importantly, it indicates Bill Loop is survived by a host of family members who still call Nebraska home.

Memorial services with military honors are scheduled for Saturday, 10 a.m., at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home. A private family inurnment is planned at a later date.

Loop was visibly overcome with sadness, and what appeared to be survivors’ guilt, several times during the 2011 interview. He maintained throughout, “the real heroes never came back.”

His passing June 20, 2017, may have provided the only means of relief he would accept from the guilt he was haunted by, at least in this reporter’s humble opinion. It also, by Loop’s definition, qualifies him for the hero status he rejected at the time as he will sadly not be coming back to us.

Here are some weblinks to stories about Billy Loop:

Great men can often be found where the morning coffee pours
http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1732600.html

Bombing not worst experience for South Pacific vet
http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1732945.html

Vets call Heartland Honor Flight ‘trip of a lifetime’
http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1477111.html

An encounter with JFK
http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1741121.html