More On Solider From Central Arkansas Killed In Iraq

Cheryl Winters says she is comforted that her son, who was killed in Iraq, loved the military and was eager to serve his country. Army Sergeant First Class William "Bill" Labadie was killed during fighting south of Baghdad yesterday, 15 days after deploying. Winters says that at age 45, her son knew it was his last shot at combat. Labadie was assigned to the First Cavalry, 39th Brigade. Labadie had been living with his mother and father Carl Winters for about a year and had plans to build a home across from them and move his wife, Sunnie, and son Bryan from Del City, Oklahoma. Cheryl Winters says she was notified by an Army chaplain and Labadie`s commanding officer, who came to the family home last night. At home, Labadie was known for motivating coworkers at The Heritage Company in Bryant, which does fundraising for nonprofit agencies. Cheryl Winters said her son had never sounded so happy as during their three telephone conversations since he arrived in the Middle East. Bill Labadie was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Benton, and his mother said he enjoyed working with elementary-age children at the church. Posted by Mike Hellgren