William Lake, 108; was one of the last WWI veterans

William Lake, 108;

was one of the last

WWI veterans

YAKIMA, Wash. -- William J. Lake, one of Washington state's few remaining World War I veterans, died Saturday.

He was 108 and recently underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer, said friends, other veterans, and officials at Yakima Manor, the retirement home where he lived.

Mr. Lake was 22 when he was drafted into the Army on Oct. 4, 1917.

He served as a private in the 91st Infantry Division and as a machine gun ammunition transporter for the 346th Machine Gun Battalion.

He fought in the Meuse-Argonne Forest in France and Belgium in the winter of 1918.

In 2000, nearly 80 years after serving his country, Lake received the National Order of the Legion of Honor, France's highest military honor, from President Jacques Chirac of France.

Mr. Lake was a farmer in the Yakima Valley for 32 years.

He also worked as a truck driver for many years.

An on-the-job accident forced his retirement at age 75.