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<p><em>William Wilberforce Plummer III</em> graced the world with his presence on May 15, 1949 in East Grand Rapids, MI, the only offspring of an Air Force officer (dentist) and a librarian. Bill grew up a die-hard Michigan Wolverine fan and was, as expected, accepted to University of Michigan when he graduated from high school. Bill was so set on finding a career in law at Michigan that he threw away his appointment letter from West Point. Much to Bill’s chagrin, his father, by this time, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, found the discarded letter, and Bill’s career path was “redirected.” Only now, he was intent on pursuing law as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. </p>
<p>For four years at West Point, Bill pursued his goal of serving the law in Air Force blue while, according to his 1971 <em>Howitzer </em>entry, “He helped his roommate get ‘stars’ (and a girl), ran cross country, sat ‘con’ [Bill was a proud Century Man], watched TV, and dreamed of his TR-6.” Based on feedback from several of his companymates, Bill had earned a reputation as an occasional “complainer,” but primarily a man with a quick wit (sometimes pretty “dry”) and wisdom beyond his years who never took himself too seriously and was always there to help out his companymates. Bill was definitely a “people person.” According to Bill’s roommate at the time, the things that really helped Bill make it through four years at West Point were coffee, popcorn, the game of Risk, and Frank Sinatra music.</p>
<p>Generally, one would never accuse Bill of being a “Gray Hog” while at West Point. One particular example does comes to mind: When it was time to select class rings at the beginning of First Class year, Bill was determined to not purchase one. His roommates at the time warned him about possible push back, ultimately convincing Bill to purchase a class ring, as a “cooperate and graduate” thing. After his passing, Bill’s wife told us that Bill wore his ring so proudly, never taking it off, and that he wanted to contribute it to the Memorial Class Ring Melt, so that it could permanently become a part of the Long Gray Line.</p>
<p>Bill’s dream of wearing Air Force blue was shattered during Branch Week of First Class year, when he discovered a technicality in the criteria for commissioning in the Air Force out of West Point. That technicality? One’s parent had to be an active-duty commissioned officer. Bill’s dad had spent his career in the Air Force Reserve. But Bill could still serve the law as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, right? Sort of: Unfortunately, Bill’s academic “prowess” had him competing to be the Company G-4 “goat” (i.e., lowest ranking graduate in the company). He missed that goal by one classmate. However, the law was still his goal, so Bill selected the Military Police Corps as his Army branch. </p>
<p>Bill’s first assignment was with the Military Police Platoon, Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in Wildflecken, Germany. In 1974, Bill joined the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, WA, where he was promoted to captain. During this post, in 1977, Bill decided to pursue his “law” career in the civilian world, beginning with the Spokane, WA, County Sheriff’s Office as a K9 handler (Bill loved dogs) and SWAT member. By 1983, Bill had relocated to Tucson, AZ, where he began a 25-year career with the Tucson Police Department (TPD) and was promoted to sergeant and, ultimately, lieutenant. Bill’s career with the TPD included time as a patrol officer in Tucson’s southside (where the action was), working in the Evidence Section, and serving as patrol sergeant, force commander and commander in central investigations. In 1999, Bill earned a Master of Education degree from Northern Arizona University; however, everyone knew that Bill “loved being a cop.” One of his more notable accomplishments with the TPD was when he developed and established the Elder Abuse Section for the department. Bill retired from the TPD in March 2009. </p>
<p>Soon afterward he met his lovely wife, Connie, marrying her in 2011. By this time, in addition to the “Michigan Room” at his home (no lost love for the Wolverines), Bill had a passion for collecting African masks, which Connie eventually grew to love, as well. For the next 14 years, Bill and Connie shared their love of travel, golf, socializing with friends, listening to Sinatra while watching the sunset from their patio, and playing with his bilingual dogs (who knew commands in English and German!). Until Connie’s retirement in 2021, Bill continued to “serve,” albeit at home, as cook, housekeeper, dog trainer, and loving husband. Being the “people person” he was, Bill didn’t stop there: He got involved with a charity food bank that, with Bill’s help, branched off into another non-profit start-up, the Greater Vail (AZ) Community Resources, which, without Bill’s influence, would not be in existence today. </p>
<p>In summary, Bill will always be remembered as one of the most interesting, caring, witty, and affable men we ever knew. Professionally done, Bill! Be Thou at Peace! </p>
<p><em>— Ken Matwiczak, Classmate; Wife Connie Plummer</em></p>
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