Wayland Eugene Causey

Fallen Hero’s Hometown and State: Omaha, TX

Branch of Service: U.S. Navy

Rank: Seaman First Class

Seaman 1st Class Wayland Causey served as a U.S. Naval Armed Guard during WWII. He was killed at Port Chicago, California while loading munitions bound for the Pacific Theater onto the SS E.A. Bryan. A munitions explosion ripped through the town, killing 320 sailors and injuring 390 others. It was the largest domestic wartime disaster in American history.

Causey had a sister named Ruth, and three brothers who also served in the U.S. Navy: Henry, Lloyd, and Lawrence. He left behind his beloved wife Lillian, their baby daughter Martha, and their three boys: Floyd, David, Walter.

Wayland was born in Omaha, TX and later moved to Oklahoma where he worked on a neighboring farm to his future wife Lillian, where they met, fell in love, and married to begin their beautiful love story. Lillian once said that Wayland was the kindest man she had ever known, and that he was loved by everyone.

Age: 30

Date of Death: July 17, 1944