06-13-2007, 11:34 PM
Palm Beach County deputy helps homeless man who says he's dying of cancer
By Dianna Cahn
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted June 13 2007, 12:46 PM EDT
WEST PALM BEACH – A Palm Beach County homeless man who said he was dying of cancer and wanted to return to North Carolina got a free bus ticket home Wednesday.
Sheriff's Deputy Karl Martin and members of the Marine Corps League – along with local media -- showed up at the man's tent in the morning with the ticket, but he wasn't there. They later found James Willis, and he was due to catch the next bus north.
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Willis, who said he was a Vietnam War veteran, had been living in the tent in a wooded area off Gun Club Road. His friends say he's 59 years old.
Martin says he met Willis over a year ago when the deputy arrested him on a beverage violation. After hearing Willis' story, Martin, himself a former Marine, arranged for the Marine Corps League to buy Willis a ticket home to Greensboro, N.C. Willis has a brother living there, Martin said.
Martin says Willis told him he has only 30-60 days left to live.
By Dianna Cahn
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted June 13 2007, 12:46 PM EDT
WEST PALM BEACH – A Palm Beach County homeless man who said he was dying of cancer and wanted to return to North Carolina got a free bus ticket home Wednesday.
Sheriff's Deputy Karl Martin and members of the Marine Corps League – along with local media -- showed up at the man's tent in the morning with the ticket, but he wasn't there. They later found James Willis, and he was due to catch the next bus north.
LocalLinks
Willis, who said he was a Vietnam War veteran, had been living in the tent in a wooded area off Gun Club Road. His friends say he's 59 years old.
Martin says he met Willis over a year ago when the deputy arrested him on a beverage violation. After hearing Willis' story, Martin, himself a former Marine, arranged for the Marine Corps League to buy Willis a ticket home to Greensboro, N.C. Willis has a brother living there, Martin said.
Martin says Willis told him he has only 30-60 days left to live.