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<em>William Mervin "Bill" Wix</em> was born in Harrington, DE, to Robert James and Virginia Pearson Wix. He had one sister, Thelma Smith, and one brother, Robert J. Wix, Jr.</p>
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Bill graduated from Harrington High School in 1951. While there, he lettered in soccer, basketball, and baseball. He also played for a National Baseball League farm team during two summers when not working as a delivery man for a local grocery store. Absent a USMA appointment, we may have found the name Bill Wix numbered among the professional baseball Hall of Famers. That was the beginning of a life as a star athlete, accomplished sportsman, and avid sports fan. Even after a full military and academic career, he considered attending the Boston Red Sox Fantasy Baseball Camp in Florida during his retirement years to be one of the most memorable events of a full life. He was able to play with, and be coached by, many of his heroes for an entire week. He loved the Red Sox and held a very high regard for Ted Williams, in large part because of Ted’s service to his country during WWII and the Korean War.</p>
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During high school, he managed to find the time to play trumpet in the local band. The combination of talent and skill in accomplishing many varied tasks stood him in good stead when he moved directly from high school to the challenges of Plebe year with the Class of ’55.</p>
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While at the Academy, Bill played soccer all four years, gaining recognition as an All-American and earning a varsity "A" and a Navy Star. He was active in the French Club and enjoyed varied duties with the public information detail for four years, while still managing to graduate in the upper quarter of the class. His generosity and willingness to help others became evident as he spent precious hours tutoring other cadets.</p>
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Upon graduation, Bill entered the Signal Corps, serving for 28 years with tours of duty that included Korea; Colorado Springs, CO.; Germany; Ft. Leavenworth, KS; HQ Military Assistance Command, Viet Nam, during 1966-67; and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon during 1967-69. For his first assignment after branch school, he served with the 8th Infantry Division that relocated as a unit to Goeppingen, Germany in 1956. The entire division went on a 10-day troop ship voyage. His first assignment upon arrival was as leader of the platoon that laid telephone cables between division headquarters and the regiments. His unit always went to the field first and returned home last.</p>
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His longest tours were two stays at West Point in the Department of Social Sciences, as assistant professor during 1961-65 and professor during 1969-80. During the first tour, he simultaneously completed the company grade course at the Signal School at Ft. Monmouth. While preparing to teach, Bill earned a master’s degree from MIT in political science in 1961 and then, during his second tour, a doctorate from Columbia University in political science in 1976. He supervised the core course in American Politics and the related political science electives. Bill served as the assistant Army soccer coach under Joe Palone, as the team’s officer representative; was the director of Debate for West Point; and was very active as a soccer referee. The Department of Social Science also benefited from Bill’s presence on the softball and basketball teams.</p>
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Bill’s steady optimistic attitude was readily evident from his winning smile and constant readiness to help anyone having difficulties. He never failed to motivate those around him. He found time, too, to gather cadets in his home to share his humor and wisdom. The Wix residence at West Point was known as the "Delaware Inn," because of all the cadets from Delaware the family sponsored. Above all, the cadets learned from his uncompromising sense of "Duty, Honor, Country."</p>
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During his Army career, Bill received the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal, the Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Office of Defense Identification Badge. He also graduated from CGSC.</p>
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After retiring from the Army as a colonel in 1980, Bill began a second career with International Paper in New York. He served as Director of Corporate Education, Director of Human Resources for pulp and paper, and Director of Staff Employee Relations. He made good use of his ability to recognize talent and develop young people to their fullest potential and was persistent in having his associates question the way they had always done things, constantly striving for improvement. He moved to Memphis, TN, with International in 1987 and retired from the company in 1993.</p>
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Still not ready to stop work completely, Bill formed Wix and Associates, an executive assessment and development business. He worked in the Meeman Center for Continuing Studies at Rhodes College for three years. Throughout his life, Bill was an avid fisherman, competitive tennis player, and expert reciter of baseball lore and statistics. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis, as well as the First United Methodist Church of Heber Springs, AR.</p>
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Bill was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 1998. Until the end, he fought the good fight, repeatedly amazing his doctors, friends, and family with his ability to recover from the many complications experienced during the course of his illness. He attributed this to his lifelong commitment to exercise and healthy living—as well as his outstanding medical team—but most of all to the many prayers said in his name. He treasured his friendships with folks from all walks of life; unconditionally loved his children, wife, and close family members; and accepted all the experiences he had encountered in life. His special relationship with so many people gave him a lot of pleasure and provided him with unconditional support, especially when he needed it the most. He died peacefully in his sleep and now rests in eternal peace with his father in heaven.</p>
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Bill leaves his wife, Rebecca Robertson Wix; and three children from his previous marriage—daughters Cindy Jean Wix Ingling and Linda Stevenson Wix McGonagle, and son Thomas Saunders Wix. He also leaves two grandchildren, Elizabeth and William McGonagle; two sons-in-law, Stefan McGonagle and Rich Ingling; and his former wife, Mary Ellen Thomas Wix.</p>