William B. (Bill) Neill

ELY DAILY TIMES

March 30, 1955

DEPUTY SHERIFF NEILL AND MCGILL MAN KILLED

Death rode Highway 50 late yesterday when two persons were instantly killed in a head-on crash between a deputy sheriff’s car and another approximately four miles northeast of Ely. Both cars were virtually demolished.

The dead:

Deputy Sheriff Wm. B. (Bill) Neill, 49, Ely.

M.G. (Whitey) Ravenscraft, 31, McGill.

First report of the tragedy came to the sheriff’s office at 6:10 p.m. as Neill was returning to Ely on routine patrol from the McGill area. Both men were alone and were dead upon arrival of the county ambulance.

The bodies were removed to the Wilson-Bates funeral home in Ely and the inquest is pending.

Sheriff McLaughlin and Undersheriff Andy Anderson said this morning that Bill Neill has had a long and outstanding career in police work, many years for White Pine County.

Neill was born March 1, 1906, and prior to joining the sheriff’s officer was with the Ely police force. He is survived by his wife, Irma, and three children, a daughter Barbara, who is married and lives in the Las Vegas area; a son Donald, attending school in Los Angeles, and a five-year old son, Mitchell, at the home. The home is in Central Ely.

Crash Photos

A series of crash pictures taken on the scene a short time after the collision can be seen in the front window of the Ely Times office.

These startling photos, taken by a member of the Times staff, depict what happens when two automobiles meet head on.

Plaque Location & Image

Center Wall Column 9 Row H     View The Plaque