NBC 13 -- A Pinson man has been killed in Iraq.

The Defense Department says Private William VanOsdol died Wednesday when an enemy rocket hit his barracks.

VanOsdol is from Pinson and attended Pinson Valley High School.

Teachers there remembered him as a quiet student with a good sense of humor.

They say VanOsdol came alive in English class when discussing British Literature.

“He just lit up on those stories and got very animated in the conversations that we had. He was a big fan of Beowulf and Lord of the Rings. That struck a chord with him,” Assistant Principal Karen Mardis said.

William VanOsdol was in the 172nd Support Battalion out of Germany.

More than 4300 Americans have died in Iraq since the war started in 2003.

==Another news story==

Associated Press -- William Z. VanOsdol, better known as “Will,” loved just about anything to do with art. Especially drawing.

Shane Kiep, of Hunstville, Ala., wrote in an online message board that VanOsdol was “always funny, one of the best artists I’ve ever personally met.”

VanOsdol, 23, of Pinson, Ala., died Aug. 19 in Ad Diwaniyah of wounds suffered when enemy rocket fire struck his quarters. He was assigned to Schweinfurt, Germany.

A classmate, Kat Delawder, wrote in an online message board that VanOsdol “will forever be remembered by me as that zany guy who always knew exactly what to say in any situation.”

The art enthusiast listed hard rock bands Seether, Evanescence and Godsmack among his favorites on his MySpace page, and enjoyed films such as “Underworld” and “Van Helsing.” He also loved reading and had an eye for the fantasy tales he read in English class at Pinson Valley High School.

“He just lit up on those stories and got very animated in the conversations that we had,” said assistant principal Karen Mardis. “He was a big fan of Beowulf and Lord of the Rings. That struck a chord with him.”

VanOsdol is survived by his mother and two siblings. His father died in April, while the soldier was serving in Iraq.