[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 142 (Friday, August 29, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING COLONEL WILLARD ALVIN ``BILL'' BARNES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 29, 2025

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of 
Colonel Willard Alvin ``Bill'' Barnes who is turning one hundred five 
years old on August 30, 2025.
  Colonel Barnes was born in Atkinson, Nebraska, on August 30, 1920. 
Raised by his maternal grandfather, Ole Torske, he was imbued with an 
understanding of the power of service, loyalty, and hard work at an 
early age.
  In 1942, Colonel Barnes bravely answered the call to defend our 
Nation by enlisting in the United States Army shortly after the attack 
on Pearl Harbor. He completed his training at Camp Shelby Joint Forces 
Training Center in Mississippi, where he then became a member of the 
85th Infantry, Custer Division. He was deployed to the North African 
Theater of Operations during World War II. Upon the campaign's 
completion, he and his division traveled to Italy where they fought in 
three campaigns in the Rome-Arno region, the North Apennines and the Po 
River Valley.
  Following Colonel Barnes' service in World War II, he returned to 
Nebraska where he enrolled at Creighton University and earned his 
bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor degree. Upon graduation in 1952, he 
began a twenty-eight-year career in the United States Air Force as part 
of the Judge Advocate General's Corps.
  Colonel Barnes' time in Judge Advocate General's Corps sent him 
across the world in service to our country. Throughout his career, he 
served domestically in Idaho, Alaska, California, Washington, D.C., 
Illinois and New Mexico, and internationally in London, Madrid and 
Seoul. After nearly four decades of military service, Colonel Barnes 
retired, but his commitment to service did not end. He dedicated 
himself to serving senior citizens, unhoused persons and his church 
community.
  As rich as Colonel Barnes' military career is, so is his familial 
life. He was born to his mother Anna Torske Barnes and had two 
brothers, Olin Barnes and Raymond Barnes. He married Elaine Spielman 
Barnes on July 16, 1948, with whom he would spend 72 years of his life. 
They had three children, M.J. Barnes, Barbara Barnes and Kari Rugh. He 
has three grandchildren, Alex Barnes, Nicholas Barnes and Kalie Kyo, 
and one great grandchild, Katherine Millie Barnes.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the life and career of Colonel 
``Bill'' Barnes on his 105th birthday. I thank Colonel Barnes for his 
service to our country and the San Antonio community.

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