Leotis Bastine Williams was born September 13, 1922, in Sumter, South Carolina, the son of Robert T. and Fanny I. (Drew) Williams. By the 1940's he was living in Brooklyn, New York, first at 435 Grand Ave., and later at 457a McDonough Street.
Leotis enlisted in the US Army as a private on June 26, 1943, in the midst of WWII. He stated at that time that his education consisted of four years of high school; and that he was single, with dependents. He served in Co. D 3rd Sep. Infantry Battalion until November 6, 1945. In January of 1946 he enlisted in the New York National Guard, serving in various capacities from 2nd Lt. to Captain, and finally to Major as his career progressed through the 1960's and 1970's. He served with the Infantry 2 Area Command 22 IS Battalion from 1960 through 1971, then with the 14th Regiment. He retired in 1986.
Leotis lived at several different addresses in Jamaica, New York; on 173rd Street, and on 137th Street.
Leotis Bastine Williams died November 22, 2003 at the Queens Hospital Center, and was buried on Hart Island.
Sources: US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Vol. 2; US WWII Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946; New York, New York National Guard Service Cards, 1917-1954; New York, Military Service Cards, 1816-1979; New York, New York Guard Service Cards, 1906-1918, 1940-1948.