William C. Spillers reported killed in Iraq

JACKSON – A member of the Mississippi National Guard stationed in Iraq died of noncombat injuries Saturday in Baghdad.

Sgt. 1st Class William C. Spillers, 39, of Terry, was assigned to the Guard’s 230th Finance Detachment stationed in Jackson. He is the 50th soldier with ties to Mississippi to die in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The death of William Spillers is a great loss for the citizens of Mississippi,” Gov. Haley Barbour said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

A news release from the Guard did not specify why Spillers died.

Twenty-one members of the 230th were sent last summer to Iraq where they are conducting financial support operations.

From the Hattiesburg American