Willis George Youens was born on January 17, 1884 in Columbus, Texas. After graduating from Columbus High School, he entered the University of Texas School of Medicine at Galveston in 1902, graduating in 1907. He then began practicing as a physician in his hometown. Youens married Florence Fay Burford of Columbus in 1911, and they had five children. In 1917, Youens volunteered to serve in the United States military forces, and he was appointed First Lieutenant in the Medical Section of the Officers Reserve Corps, Army of the United States. He reported to Kelly Field, San Antonio in January 1918, and subsequently served as a Captain in France (July-November 1918) and Germany (December 1918-April 1919). Upon returning home, Youens continued his medical practice in Columbus. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in Arizona in 1934, remaining there until 1942. In 1934, Youens and his wife Fay divorced. He married Cynthia Tanner in Arizona in 1935, and they had four children. In 1942, Youens returned to Columbus, Texas to begin private practice. He died of a heart of attack in Columbus on April 25, 1943.
From the guide to the Willis G. Youens Papers 2008-230., 1885-1983 [bulk 1918-1940], (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)
