Photograph of Clara Evans Willis standing on the porch of her home, reading a letter from John Todd Willis, Jr.

Photograph of the home built by Sam Wise with a family standing in front of it and next to a car. The members of the family are identified as: First row: (left to right) Iris and Lindsey Burley, Sadie Wise (pregnant with Lois Wise), Howard Wise, Ray L. Wise held by his father V. A. Wise, Legel and Clyde Wise, and Mary Lou and John Wise; Second row: grandpa Samuel Curtis Wise, Melvin Wise, grandma Francis Josephine Carlisle Wise, Louise Wise, Thelma Lee Wise, and Vera Hunter Wise.

Stock certificate for the Texas Cotton Palace Association, certifying that Wheatley [sic] & Holloway own three shares of the Capital Stock of the Texas Cotton Palace Association. It is signed by Albert T. Clifton, President.

Photograph of the grave marker of Capt. Johnny Williams located in Cherokee Cemetery, San Saba County, Texas. The marker reads: "Capt. Johnny Williams, born 1798, killed by Indians October 2, 1862, donated this cemetery plot to the public. This monument erected by friends and relatives."

Photograph of an elaborate building on a street corner. A handwritten note below the photo identifies it as Ball High School in Galveston, Texas.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis Sr. on August 14, 1943. He discusses going to a party, and says he made a crystal radio, but still asks them to send one from home as he thinks it will work better.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on August 17, 1944, in which Willis hypothesizes that he's not gotten any mail because all the ships are going to France, and that the invasion will shorten the war. He goes on to say that he went to the beach and got a sunburn recently, then mentions the marriage of a friend.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on August 8, 1944. He's glad to hear that Wilbur Crawford is home and wishes he could be home himself. He says that it's hot where he is, but not like in Waco. Willis goes on to say that he went to the show the night before, but it wasn't a good one, so he left. He asks his parents to send him a picture of them and the house, as well as a box of cold tablets if they can manage it.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis Sr. on August 8, 1943. He confirms that he has received some of their letters, one including a picture, and offers his condolences upon the deaths of an uncle and a friend. He also says that he cannot print the pictures he has taken due to lack of printing paper.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on August 1, 1944. He advises his parents that air mail is faster than V mail, and tells them who his tent mates are.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on August 2, 1944. He sends some pictures they wanted back, and says he and Harmon Gilbreath may go to the Red Cross and then go swimming in the evening when they have their half day off. He bought a bathing suit a few months ago from the army, but it hasn't arrived yet.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis Sr. on August 18, 1943. He discusses the heat, the movies he has seen, and going to the beach to swim.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on August 4, 1944. He hopes to see Robert Evans, Jr. when he gets to Italy, and asks his parents to tell Wilbur Crawford to write to him, or give Willis his address. He also asks for a box of short bread.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on August 14, 1944, telling them that he recently got a letter from Robert Evans, Jr. and they hope to meet up soon. He also received a letter from Jimmie Kendrick, who wishes he was stationed in a city. Willis mentions that Bob Milam's mother heard a rumor that her son was wounded, and reassures his family that the only way anyone in his outfit could be hurt would be by falling out of bed. He asks them to tell Mrs. Milam that Bob is okay if they see her.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on August 6, 1944. He mentions a friend, Charles S., who has come to visit, whom he and another friend have taken in. Charles S. is homesick, but John, Jr. believes they will all come home soon. He expresses excitement at getting a rare half day at work, and details all the things he likes to do with his time off. He tells a story of a fellow soldier who fell and broke several ribs, and whom John, Jr. plans to visit in the hospital later. He asks for a new fountain pen in a postscript.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to John T. Willis, Sr. on August 12, 1944, asking his father if he knows a man named Marvin George who used to work at First National Bank in Waco. George sends on his regards to a Miss Todd who used to work at the bank. Willis wishes he could be home to help his father with fishing, and goes on to say he had a letter from Robert [Evans] Jr. and they hope to see each other soon.

Passenger's Check for the Union Passenger Depot, from Galveston to Houston. It reads: "To identify accommodations purchased. The amount charged is The Pullman Company's rate and a surcharge of 50% of that amount required by and collected as agent for the Railroad Company, as shown on the ticket."

Passenger's Check for the Union Passenger Depot, from Galveston to Houston. It reads: "To identify accommodations purchased. The amount charged is The Pullman Company's rate and a surcharge of 50% of that amount required by and collected as agent for the Railroad Company, as shown on the ticket."

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis Sr. on August 5, 1943. He asks them to send him supplies to build a crystal radio set, and briefly mentions going swimming.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis Sr. on August 26, 1943. He thanks them for the clothes and roll of film they sent him, asks for more film if they can manage, and tells them about a show he saw.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis Sr. on August 20, 1943. He included some pictures of the town in North Africa where he was stationed, and apologizes for not being in any of them himself.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to John T. Willis, Sr., on August 5, 1944. He wishes he could have been at a fish fry with his father, since all they get in the army is canned salmon. He also asks after his calves.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to John T. Willis Sr. on August 14, 1943. He tells his father to sell most of Willis' rifles if he can get a good price for them.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis Sr. on August 22, 1944. He offers sympathies to an uncle and a friend, both of whom recently had accidents.