In Memory

William Bernard (Bennett)

William Bernard (Bennett)

William Bernard, 74

William Richard Bernard, 74, of Beltsville, Md., passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Md.   

Bill was born on April 17, 1942 in Sioux City, Iowa, to William Philip and Dorothy Ida (Roe) Bernard.

Bill grew up in South Sioux City, Neb. He graduated in 1960 from South Sioux City High School where he played football and ran track. After graduation Bill attended Pasadena City College where he majored in music (1960-1961).

Bill joined the United States Army in 1962. After a tour of duty in Japan, Bill was accepted to the Quartermaster Officers’ Candidate School in Ft. Lee, VA. (Jul 66 – Jan 67).

During his military career, Bill earned the Army Commendation Medal (1969), the Bronze Star (1970), the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) (1973), and the Army Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) (1978).

Bill loved the Army and was honored to spend 20 years serving his country. He retired from the Army in March 1982 as a Major.

Following his military career, Bill was employed by the Army as a Wellness Center Program Specialist. He obtained his Masters Degree and worked as a civil servant counseling and assisting federal employees for 23 years. He retired from the civil service in 2006 while employed at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, MD.

Bill had a variety of interests. He was a staunch fan of the University of Nebraska Cornhusker football team. Bill loved music; he played the trumpet and the drums throughout his life. He was an avid reader and loved animals. Most importantly, Bill was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 38 years.

Bill is survived by his wife of 26 years Marjorie Bennett, three daughters Jeannie Frock of Felton, Del., Carrie Smith of Golden, Colo., and Jennifer Bernard of Groton, Conn. Bill has three granddaughters Holly Schlotfeldt of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Dixie and Annie Strange of Golden.. Additionally Bill is also survived by his sisters Diane Pauley of Oceanside, Calif. and Cindy Van der Sterre of Hobbs, N.M. He had four nephews (Alex, Carl William, Sean and Lucas), five nieces (Penelope, Heather, Dorothy, Rachel, and Sarah), two great-nephews and two great-nieces. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Dorothy Bernard.

Bill was interested in charities that aid and assist veterans and their families. One of Bill’s favorite charities was the Wounded Warrior Project. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor and memory of William R. Bernard, Major, US Army Retired. The URL is https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home, 4400 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, Md., 20705-2751. Remembrances may be noted at www.borgwardtfuneralhome.com

Interment will be at the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

 



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment

04/10/17 04:19 PM #1    

Rita Boughn (Aylstock)

I am sorry to hear about this. Our Sympathies to Bill's family and friends. He was my second-cousin, and quite a character.

Rita Aylstock


04/10/17 05:37 PM #2    

James Schaller

My friend, my buddy.  I am so sad to hear of your passing.  So many great memories together, sports, drinking beer in South Dakota, hunting.  Remember our last conversation and  me asking if you were a Psycho Therapist or a Psychotherapist (one word or two) LOL.  Rest  in peace my friend.  Your sense of humor was one of a kind.  Jim Schaller 


04/30/17 03:12 PM #3    

Karen Burgess (Kohn)

I was saddened to learn about Bill's passing.  Mr. Bernard and Dad were good friends because both had children who had contacted polio.  Bill was so much fun and a kind person.  Rest in peace.  Karen Burgess-Kohn


05/07/17 02:23 PM #4    

Claryce Ray (Welch)

I was sorry to hear of Bill's death. I have fond memories of Bill from high school. RIP my friend.


go to top 
  Post Comment