Colonel William H. Greear
USMA 1929
Colonel William Hopkins Greear, US Army Retired, died on
Sunday 26 March in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on
17 February 1903 in Hayden, Colorado. He attended the
University of Texas 1922 to 1924. He then went to the United
States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1929 in
the Cavalry. His first duty assignment was at Fort Bliss,
Texas. While there he met Helen McCulloch. They were married
on 16 March 1930, and just observed their seventieth wedding
anniversary. He was assigned to West Point as a math instructor
from 1933 to 1937. He then went to the Cavalry School at Fort
Riley, Kansas, where he excelled in the many facets of military
horsemanship. From there he was transferred to Fort Bliss,
Texas, where he was Aide-de-Camp to Major General Kenyan Joyce
in 1940 and 1941. During World War II Colonel Greear was the
US Army Liaison Officer with the US European Theater Navy
Headquarters. In1946 he was assigned to Germany where he served
with the US Constabulary until1949. He was assigned as a student
to the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia, and upon
graduation was retained as an instructor. In 1952 he was again
assigned to Germany and the Constabulary until 1955. Then he
was a student at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces,
Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. From 1956 to 1959 he was on the
staff of the Fourth Army Headquarters at Fort Sam Houston,
Texas, retiring in1959. His decorations include the Silver
Star, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal. He then became
a math instructor at the Peacock Military Academy here in
San Antonio. In 1962 he became the City Manager of Terrell
Hills, in San Antonio, a position he held for fifteen years.
Since 1987 he and his wife have resided at the Army Residence
Community,7400 Crestway, San Antonio. Billy was a superb
horseman. He taught horsemanship at the Cavalry School, was
a member of the US Army Equestrian Team, specializing in
jumping, did a lot of fox hunting, and was an excellent polo
player. For many years after he retired from Terrell Hills he
was a judge of the highest ranking in both national and
international horse shows, specializing in jumpers and hunters.
He also was an accomplished fisherman and bird hunter. Billy
was kind, gentle, and scholarly. He had a delightful sense of
humor, a wonderful disposition, and a twinkle in his eye. He
was a loving and devoted husband. He is survived by his wife
Helen.
A Memorial Service will be conducted at the Army
Residence Community, 7400 Crestway, San Antonio, on Thursday,
30 March 2000 at 10:00 A.M. with Chaplain Ray Foley officiating.
Graveside Services will be at Fort Sam Houston National
Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. with Full Military Honors. In lieu of
flowers donations may be made to Boysville, 8555 E. Loop 1604,
Converse,78109. Arrangements by: Colonial Funeral Home.
03/28/2000
(Reprinted from San Antonio Express News,
Tuesday, March 28, 2000)