[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BILL WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 1998

  Mr. FARR. of California Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Bill 
Williams, soldier, civil servant and civic leader. Bill was born in 
Newburgh, New York. Mr. Williams passed away this past May. He began 
his military career in 1943 at the age of twenty and retired from the 
military, after serving for twenty years and in many capacities, as a 
highly decorated Major in 1963. Bill's decorations included two Bronze 
Stars with the ``V'' Device, two Purple Hearts, a Combat Infantry 
Badge, service ribbons for the Normandy Invasion, and five Battle Stars 
for his service in Europe and Korea.
  Upon his retirement from the military, Bill began his second career 
which lasted another twenty years. He applied the knowledge he had 
gained as a Training Company Commander while in the Army to his 
peacetime job in the field of Personnel Management.
  During those years, Bill also applied his leadership skills as an 
officer in service clubs and veterans organizations. Bill was a life 
member of the Monterey Peninsula Kiwanis Club, including duties as 
Lieutenant Governor. He also held leadership posts in many of the other 
organizations of which he was a member: the Monterey Chapter of the 
Retired Officers Association, The Northern Military Order of the Purple 
Heart, The Northern California Region of TROA, The Masonic Liberty 
Lodge No. 70 of Paris France, and, The Pacific Grove Masonic Lodge No. 
331.
  I knew Bill as an active advocate for veterans. He kept me advised of 
matters of concern to the retired military community in the Fort Ord 
area. Bill vigorously pursued a site for a Veterans Cemetery on the 
grounds of the decommissioned Fort Ord. I greatly appreciated the work 
he did as a veteran's liaison in my Monterey office.
  Bill leaves a loving wife of 49 years, Maria; his four daughters: 
Ginger, Debi, Kate and Elaine; and four grandchildren. We will all 
remember Bill as a fine example of leadership for his nation.

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