<p>
<em>WILLIAM R. BLACK </em>was born in Newbern, Tennessee on 17 April 1942, the son of Mrs. Marjorie T. and the late O.L. Black. He grew up in Dyer, Tennessee, attending Dyer High School, where he established a solid record of achievement and graduated as class valedictorian in 1960. At 17, Bill secured a Congressional appointment to USMA from the 8th Congressional District of Tennessee. He entered the Academy on 5 July 1960, was assigned to 5th New Cadet Company and settled into the 5th Division of Central Area.</p>
<p>
Beast Barracks was easy for Bill. As the 1964 Howitzer states: “Bill came to West Point with a ‘no sweat’ attitude and left with it.” He took the first summer in stride. From his first days at West Point, his strong character traits of discipline, devotion, hard work, self-effacement and good humor served him well.</p>
<p>
Academics did not come easy. He worked hard at the arduous task of mastering the cadet curriculum. Plebe math was especially challenging. Always good-natured and likeable, Bill never worried. He was confident in his ability to accomplish the demands of West Point and spent much of his time in extracurricular activities, particularly outdoor pursuits and others with lots of trip sections.</p>
<p>
Bill’s other hardship at West Point was the weather. He often would quote from Robert Service’s famous poem about Sam McGee from Tennessee. Bill was never warm during West Point winters. He lamented long about the hospitable climate of his native state and rued the day he moved north of the Mason-Dixon line. His greatest achievement was his successful courtship of the lovely Anne Shirley Deubler. They were wed on 31 July 1965.</p>
<p>
Branch selection was easy for Bill. Only one branch ever held his interest, and he was commissioned in his beloved Infantry upon graduation. His initial assignment was Airborne and Ranger training at Ft. Benning. Pat Graves recalled an incident at Ranger School. During the Florida phase, the class was standing in a circle receiving instruction. A large rattlesnake slithered into the middle of the ring. Any thought that the cadre had staged the event was quickly dispelled when the instructor fled. Everyone scattered except Bill, who picked up a stick, pinned the reptile’s head to the ground and picked it up. We all knew he would make a great Infantryman.</p>
<p>
After completion of Airborne and Ranger, Bill went to the 2d Battalion, 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. But not for long. On 23 March 1966, Bill was assigned to MAC V for duty as an advisor to the 6th Battalion, Vietnamese Airborne Brigade. Anne gave birth to their son, William Geoffrey Black, on 22 June 1966.</p>
<p>
Upon return to the US in April of 1967, Bill was assigned to the Ranger Department at Fort Benning. Those were busy times. The Ranger Department had the important mission of preparing young officers and soldiers for Vietnam combat. Bill’s experience was put to good use. He was later selected as aide-de-camp to MG John Wright Jr., commanding general of Fort Benning. The Blacks were happy at Fort Benning, where Anne taught school.</p>
<p>
Early in 1969, Bill left his family at Fort Benning and returned to Vietnam. He joined the 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division as S-2, shortly assumed command of A Company and, while serving with that unit, was killed in action on 8 March 1969. Bill is buried at West Point. In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Marjorie Black of Dyer, Tennessee, and a brother, James L. Black, of Memphis, Tennessee.</p>
<p>
Writing this is a sort of an out-of-body experience. It brings back memories of shared experiences. These evoke an emotional response that seems not only to withstand the passage of time but grows fuller, stronger and more meaningful over the years. Bill’s roommate, Richard Carr, recalled: “Billy Ray, as he was known to his friends, was one of those people who dealt with just what life presented to him. He was a great roommate: easy to talk with, always willing to take time to listen, one who could laugh at himself or ludicrous situations in a way that relaxed any who were in his presence. Bill was a giver and not a taker; not a particularly competitive person—which, when you think about it, probably contributed to his really relaxed attitude amongst so many well-developed egos. He was interested in his friends, especially the love of his life, Anne, whom he saw at every opportunity.”</p>
<p>
Billy Ray had a deep, resonating voice with a laugh that seemed to shake his whole body. He had a “street sense” about him that served him well and a basic intelligence that kept him on the straight and narrow. He could be heard engaging in lively discussion on politics, life, or perhaps the deeper meaning of the latest “flick” he had seen.</p>
<p>
He was the type of person that you just know would have been a great husband, father and contributor to his community. It is tragic that this “salt of the earth” human being could be taken from his loved ones at such an early age. He enjoyed the immense private pleasures of Anne and Geof. Anne continues to live in Columbus, Georgia and still teaches school at Ft. Benning. Son Geof graduated from college and has started his own career in the Columbus area.</p>
<p>
Bill Black was taken from us nearly a quarter-century ago, yet memories of him are still vivid. At odd moments, they flit through our heads, sometimes reawakening the hurt of losing a comrade before it was his time. His devotion to West Point and the precepts of Duty, Honor, Country, to which must be added “Family,” framed his life. He leaves behind a personal touch and memories that warm us still. Bill Black’s every action reflected great credit upon himself, his family, his Alma Mater and his country.</p>
<p>
<em>Jed Brown with family and classmates</em></p>
<p>
</p>