Circumstances of Death

On March 5, 1948, Special Agent William Honkala was traveling from Binghamton to Waverly, New York for an investigation of illicit liquor. On Route 17 at the outskirts of Waverly, he attempted to pass a slow moving vehicle, but was forced over to the left shoulder of the highway. When he attempted to pull back onto the roadway, he struck the other vehicle, causing the government car to go out of control and crash into a large tree. Agent Honkala was rushed to Tioga County Hospital in Waverly, but died two days later.

Background

Agent Honkala joined the Alcohol Tax Unit on July 1, 1936, and served in offices at New York, Newburgh and Syracuse, New York. Previously, he proudly served in both the U.S. Army (1918-1919) and the United States Marine Corps (1920-1929).

Personal

Agent Honkala was born in Ishpeming, Michigan. He was survived by his wife, Elsie and their daughter, Elsie Louise.