Billy Hess

Billy Hess, a career United States Army sergeant whose service spanned three wars and more than three decades, passed peacefully on January 7, 2025, surrounded by loving family after a life defined by courage, endurance, and quiet devotion to duty.

Billy first joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940. In 1941, he and many other CCC members went on to volunteer with the British Army under the command of General Montgomery in North Africa. He was officially enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 14, 1942. Billy entered combat with General Mark Clark’s Fifth Army during the North African invasion in 1943, Anzio in 1944, and continued throughout the Romo-Arno Campaign to the liberation of Rome in June 1944. Fifth Army continued fighting in the North Apennines Campaign (Sept. 1944 – Apr. 1945), a crucial World War II operation in Italy in which Allied forces — notably the U.S. 10th Mountain Division and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team — fought to breach the formidable Gothic Line fortifications in the Apennine Mountains, paving the way for the final Allied victory in the Italian Theater and the collapse of German defenses.

Sergeant Hess later crossed the Po River with advancing Allied forces and entered Austria, where he marked V-E Day in Innsbruck. After the war, he was attached to the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion in Linz, Austria. It was there that he met Blanka Maria Zuzulka, whom he married; they shared seventy-one years together before her death in 2015.

With the outbreak of the Korean War, Sergeant Hess returned to combat duty, serving as a forward scout until hostilities ceased. He later returned to the 82nd Reconnaissance Scouts and served overseas until 1957. Transferred to Fort Benning Georgia, he would once again answer the call to serve — this time in Vietnam.

Over the course of his career, Sergeant Hess was awarded five Bronze Stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge with two stars, the European Campaign Medal, the American Theater Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Army Occupation Medal (Germany), among other decorations. He retired from the Army in 1974, having served 31 years and six months active duty. After retiring, Billy stayed active with farming and family life.

Born September 4, 1924, in Williamson, West Virginia, he was the son of Clarence and Lola Mae Hess and was raised in Honaker, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Blanka Hess of Fluvanna, Virginia; his son, Alfred Hess of Orlando, Florida; and his granddaughter, Katherine M. “Katie” Hess of Afton, Virginia. He is survived by his brother, Dan Hess; son, Eric Hess; and devoted daughter-in-law, Ellen; two grandchildren, Courtney Smart and Matthew Hess (Emily Hess); two great-grandchildren, Izzie and Marcus; three step-grandchildren, Cabell Neterer, Ashby Neterer (Olivia Benbow), and Mills Neterer (Allison Neterer). He also leaves behind a beloved extended Hess family in Honaker Virginia. His family remembers him with deep affection and pride.

Billy embodied the quiet heroism of a soldier who never sought attention, only to serve. His life testifies to duty carried faithfully across generations of war and peace alike. A friend to all and an exemplar of clear-eyed optimism, Billy exemplified the strength that comes only from choosing joy amidst trials.

To honor Billy’s legacy, his family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to a Veterans Organization of your choosing. The family would like to thank Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center for their loving care during Billy’s last years. A private service will be held at a later date, with a military interment at Ft. Benning, Georgia.