Bomb kills solider, body returned to family in Ga.

Associated Press

ARDMORE, Okla. -- An Army soldier who died when a bomb exploded near his vehicle in Iraq was described by family as a proud soldier, a loving husband and a caring father. 

Family members said in a statement that Spc. William Allmon "was constantly joking and making everyone laugh" and called him "a true friend to not only his Army buddies, but those close to him, as well." 

The Defense Department confirmed Monday that Allmon, 25, died Saturday in Baghdad. His home address was listed as Ardmore, but his links to Oklahoma remained somewhat sketchy.

Family friend Michelle White said Allmon was born and raised in Rome, Ga., and had only lived in Ardmore for about 18 months while engaged in construction work. She said none of Allmon's family lived in Oklahoma.

"The majority of the family lives in Georgia, a few in Texas," White said.

Allmon and his wife, Jennifer, had been married for nearly five years. He had a 3-year-old son, Damien, and an 11-year-old stepson, Jason "Luke" Johnson.

"He loved to play outdoors with his son and stepson, and in his spare time he enjoyed computer games, Internet and watching movies," the family statement said.

Allmon was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga.

A combat engineer who joined the Army in June 2000, Allmon was on his second deployment to Iraq, said Kevin Larson, a Fort Stewart spokesman. He previously deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2005 to January 2006.

Allmon's awards included two Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal and a Combat Action Badge.

Allmon is also survived by his father and stepmother, William and Tina Allmon of Cartersville, Ga.; his mother, Donna Fortune of Guyton, Ga.; and his grandparents, all of Georgia.

Funeral arrangements are pending.