RIVERS- Of Chelsea, October 21st, Paul L. Paul Lawrence Rivers, age 91, passed away at the Chelsea Soldiers Home in Massachusetts Tuesday evening, October 21, 2008. He died of natural causes.
Paul Rivers was born on April 26, 1917 in Lawrenceville, VA. He was the third of twelve children born to George and Alia Rivers. His childhood and early adult years were spent in Virginia where he worked as a truck driver.
At the beginning of WWII, August 4, 1941, he was inducted in the Army at the age of 24. After basic and advance training, he was assigned to a combat engineer unit. Paul served in the Pacific Theater and participated in the Battle for the Aleutian Islands. While serving his country as part of the American Occupation in Japan, he met his lovely wife Kazuko Rivers.
Sergeant Paul Rivers proudly serviced his country and retired from the United States Army on August 1, 1962. During his military service, he was awarded the following decorations and citations: American Defense Service Medal, American Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Korean Service Medal. After his retirement, Paul continued to serve his country as a member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He served has served as Commander of the VFW Post #523 in Clinton, MA.
After military retirement, Paul and his family settled in Clinton, MA. Although no longer active duty in the Army, he continued his commitment to fellow servicemen as an Emergency Medical Technician at the Cutler Army Hospital, Ft. Devens, MA. He remained in Clinton, MA until he retired.
Paul Rivers is survived by his wife, Kazuko Rivers; his daughter and her husband, Patricia and George Yancey; his daughter Shirley Southerland; his daughter Kim Richardson; five grandchildren, Taylor and Jimmy Richardson, John E. Price, III, Rickie Singleton, Mylz Rivers; two sisters Louvenia Rivers, Augusta Rivers; two sister-in-laws, Dorothy Rivers, Emily Rivers. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, George and Emmett Rivers and six sisters Christine, Hilda, Evelyn, Charlotte, Louise and Ruby.
The Rivers Family would like to thank all the staff at the Chelsea Soldiers Home for the support and care you have provided Paul Rivers.
Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service at the Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Avenue, CHELSEA on Thursday morning, October 30th at 10 AM with Rev. Jack Bird, officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the Service beginning at 9 o'clock. Services will conclude with interment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, on the grounds of Otis Air Force Base, Bourne, MA at 12:45 officiated by the Rev. Don Milligan.