[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 185 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8880-S8881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING MAJOR GENERAL WILL HILL TANKERSLEY

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to MG 
Will Hill Tankersley, a patriot and friend. General Tankersley died 
Saturday, November 28, 2015, at the age of 87. General Tankersley 
exemplified the attributes of service, loyalty, and, perhaps most 
precious to him, duty. He leaves behind an adoring family, generations 
of friends and admirers, and a legacy that will persist long after his 
passing.
  He was born February 28, 1928, to a family with deep roots in 
Alabama. In fact, his grandfather settled around what would become 
Montgomery in 1815, 4 years before Alabama achieved statehood. When 
only a boy, his father, Felix Marcus Tully, passed away, leaving him in 
the care of his mother, ``Miss Corrie'' Melton Hill. His paternal 
grandfather, Judge Will Hill, became a father-figure to young Will 
Hill, ensuring his mother and her young family were provided for and 
that Will Hill and his brothers received an education.
  Despite facing these difficult odds, Will Hill attended the Citadel 
and Marion Military Institute before gaining acceptance to West Point, 
from which he graduated in 1950. Soon after graduation, before his 
class had even gone through basic training, he was sent into combat in 
Korea, serving six campaigns as a combat infantryman. For his service, 
he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star, and Combat 
Infantry Badge.
  The West Point Class of 1950 has the tragic distinction of suffering 
through some of the heaviest wartime losses in the history of the 
academy; he was one of only six of his classmates in his regiment not 
killed, wounded, or captured. In fact, at the age of 23, then-
Lieutenant Tankersley had the unfortunate distinction of being the 
oldest living infantry lieutenant in the 19th Infantry Regiment.
  It was in 1953 while stationed at Fort Benning that he met Theda 
Clark Ball, also of Montgomery, whom he soon married. She was the love 
of his life, and her special place in his heart remained after her 
death in 2013, after almost 60 years of marriage.
  Once leaving the regular Army, Will Hill returned to Montgomery and 
joined the investment bank Sterne Agee & Leach. His 45 years at Sterne 
Agee saw him rise to the top of the organization, becoming a vice 
president, board member, senior vice president, chairman of the 
executive committee of the board of directors, president of the 
company, and finally the vice chairman emeritus for life. He retired in 
October of 2003.
  General Tankersley's dedication to principle and sense of civic duty 
to his city, State, and country are well known.

[[Page S8881]]

  Among his many distinctions are Montgomery Citizen of the Year for 
1992; two terms as chairman of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce; 
chairman of the Montgomery Area Committee of 100; chairman of Auburn 
University College of Business Advisory Counsel; the distinguished 
alumnus from Auburn University College of Business; and Marion Military 
Institute Alumnus of the Year.
  General Tankersley also served on the board of visitors of the Air 
University at Maxwell Air Force Base; as president of the Montgomery 
Rotary Club; a member of the board of directors for the Montgomery 
Academy; a member of the board of directors for the Tukabatchee Area 
Counsel Boy Scouts of America; senior warden of St. John's Episcopal 
Church--having served 5 years on its vestry; one of eight directors of 
the Governor's Management Improvement Program for Alabama; and chairman 
of the Education Committee on Community Government.
  After Active Duty, Will Hill remained in the U.S. Army Reserve, 
eventually rising to the rank of major general. He served as the 
civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army for the State of Alabama; 
was nominated as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs 
by President Ford, serving 3 years; was appointed during the George 
H.W. Bush administration as chairman of the Reserve Forces Policy 
Board, principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense on matters 
concerning the National Guard and Reserves; and was appointed in 2001 
by George W. Bush as one of 11 commissioners on the American Battle 
Monuments Commission.
  General Tankersley is survived by three children: his daughter, 
Theda, and sons Will Hill, Jr., and David.
  I mentioned earlier the high value General Tankersely placed on the 
concept of duty and of meeting the requirements imposed upon those 
bound to it. He not only lived a life bound by this code but 
proselytized its virtues to others. In 1995, when I was attorney 
general of Alabama, he sent me a framed quotation of General Lee, still 
in my office today, which reads ``Duty is the sublimest word in the 
English Language.'' Accompanying this gift was an encouraging note 
serving as both a call to arms and an offer of his services reading in 
part:

       In the event you ever feel the urge to let bygones be 
     bygones, to overlook the transgressions of those in public 
     office who have violated the law, abused the public trust, 
     and brought dishonor on Alabama and hurt its image or to 
     believe these miscreants did not know what they were doing 
     and shouldn't be prosecuted--call me, night or day, and I'll 
     come to where you are and remind you of General Lee's words.
       The Philistines are all around us and they are many and we 
     are few; we must keep the faith and do our duty if government 
     of, by and for the people is to exist in our state.

  General Tankersley represented the best of Alabama and her values. He 
was a true patriot and a man of great character. He will be greatly 
missed.

                          ____________________