Little Billy had just lost his dad in the world wide 1918 Pandemic Flu.  His grandparents pretty much took over raising him at this point.  His Mom Adeline a nurse also contracted the flu and nearly died.  She recovered and went into extended term private duty nursing, which required Billy's grandparents William and Lulu to come to the rescue, which he always felt he was enormously blessed to have them help develop his early sense of responsibility as well as high morals character.