Mummified Stoneman Willie To Be Buried After 128 Years On Display.

[Esther Amadi]

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Mummified Stoneman Willie to be Buried After 128 Years On Display.

Stoneman Willie, the mummified man who has been on display at a funeral home in Pennsylvania for a staggering 128 years, is finally set to receive a proper burial.

Stoneman Willie’s mysterious journey began when he passed away in a local jail in 1895 due to kidney failure, a consequence of his arrest for pickpocketing. However, what followed after his death was a series of peculiar events that led to his mummification.

Undertakers, in their quest to experiment with new embalming techniques, accidentally mummified the deceased thief. The body of Stoneman Willie was dressed in a sharp suit with a bow tie and placed in a coffin adorned with a red sash across his chest. Remarkably, his hair and teeth remained intact, while his skin took on a leathery appearance, preserving his image for over a century.

Compounding the mystery of Stoneman Willie was the fact that he had provided a fake name at the time of his arrest, rendering his true identity unknown for many years. Local officials were left without any leads to contact potential relatives or acquaintances.

However, recent efforts utilizing historical documents have uncovered Stoneman Willie’s real name, which will soon be inscribed on the bottom of his tombstone. This discovery marks a significant step in recognizing the man behind the mummy.

Funeral director Kyle Blankenbiller affectionately referred to Stoneman Willie as “our friend Willie” and emphasized his status as an icon and a cherished part of Reading’s history.

The funeral home had sought permission from the state to retain the body, allowing them to closely monitor the process of the experimental embalming technique, an unusual and unprecedented situation.

As preparations for the upcoming funeral took place, the residents of Reading came together to celebrate the city’s 275th anniversary. Stoneman Willie’s coffin was carried through the streets in a motorcycle hearse as part of a parade honoring the municipality’s rich history.

The story of Stoneman Willie, a peculiar and enduring tale of accidental mummification and the quest for identity, will soon conclude with a dignified burial, closing the chapter on his 128-year-long display at the funeral home.

• This topic was modified 6 months, 4 weeks ago by Esther Amadi.

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