[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 100 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E628-E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                APPRECIATING MAJOR WILLIAM HENRY LUTHER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2024

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today I am grateful to 
honor the remarkable life of Major William Henry Luther, a highly 
decorated hero of the Vietnam War, who will be laid to rest at the 
Dallas-Fort Worth Veterans National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas on June 
20th. Major Luther, the brother of Second District resident and 
Publisher of Linc, Inc. community newspapers, Kirk Luther, also leaves 
behind wife Jackie Mae, daughter Tracey, son Robert, five 
grandchildren, one great grandchild, and numerous extended family 
members and friends. I offer my sympathy to his family.
  I include in the Record the following obituary for William Henry 
Luther:

       William Henry Luther, a veteran of the war in Vietnam and 
     longtime resident of Edgecliff Village, Texas, passed away on 
     December 10, 2023 in his home. Bill, as he was known to most, 
     was born November 7, 1939 to Kirk Charles Luther and 
     Elizabeth (Betty) Jane Luther in Berwyn, Illinois. He 
     enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1956. Bill was first deployed to 
     Korea where he served with a medical unit and was there when 
     President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
       After Korea, Bill was deployed to Vietnam for three combat 
     tours during the 60s. For

[[Page E629]]

     his heroic actions as a helicopter pilot fighting in some of 
     the bloodiest battles with the 1st Air Cavalry Division 
     including the TET Offensive and the City of Hue, Khe Sahn, 
     and the invasion of the A'Shau Valley, the U.S. Army 
     recognized Bill for his honorable service with a Silver Star 
     (one of the highest honors to be bestowed upon a combat 
     veteran) the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star (1st 
     OLC), the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, National Defense 
     Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/DVC 60, Vietnam Cross 
     of Gallantry w/PALM, Senior Army Aviation Badge, Army Aviator 
     Badge, Armed Forces Reservice Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 
     Vietnam Civil Actions Medal (Unit Citation), Valorous Unit 
     Citation and the Meritorious Service Medal. Bill was the true 
     definition of a warrior and retired from military service 
     with the rank of Major after 22 years, 5 months and 5 days 
     from Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
       Bill married Jackie Mae Riddle on July 22, 1967 at Fort 
     Rucker, Alabama, and together they raised two children, 
     Robert and Tracey.
       After his retirement from military service Bill joined 
     Defender Industries in Columbia, SC and was promoted to the 
     Senior Operations Officer of the southwestern territory which 
     included Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. During that time he 
     moved his family to Ft. Worth and eventually Edgecliff 
     Village where he resided until his passing. Bill was an avid 
     golfer and served two terms as an Alderman on the Edgecliff 
     Village City Council.
       Bill is survived by his wife Jackie Mae Luther of Fort 
     Worth, TX.; his daughter, Tracey Scancella and husband, Jimmy 
     Aguirre; his son, Robert S. Luther and wife, Debra M. Luther, 
     as well as five grandchildren, Jonathan Scancella, Joseph 
     Scancella, Bradley W. Luther, Kristina K. Luther, Kelli M. 
     Luther and one great grandchild, Theadore W. Luther; his 
     brother, Kirk F. Luther and wife Kathy A. Luther along with 2 
     nephews, Aaron K. Luther and Nicholas C. Luther and two great 
     nephews, Jonah Luther and Elijah Luther.
       William will be laid to rest with full military honors at 
     Dallas Ft. Worth Veterans National Cemetery on June 20, 2024 
     at 11:00 am. Remembrances can be made by visiting Wounded 
     Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

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