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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly May 2002
WILLIAM R RONEY * '46
No. 16104 * 13 Dec 1923 - 21 Aug 2001
Died in Tucson, AZ * Cremated and ashes scattered in the mountains. |
William Rogers Roney was born and raised in Washington, DC. After graduating
from high school, he attended Millard's Prep school before gaining his
appointment to West Point. He joined the Class of 1946 on the banks of
the Hudson on 1 July 1943.
Cadet life was quite a challenge for Bill. D-2 roommate, Harlan Tucker,
recalled: Bill encountered continual problems with upperclassmen and the
Tactical Department who perceived him as bucking the system. He opted to
go into the Army Air Corps since their 50 mission hats fit more closely
with his philosophy. Bill was a good roommate and friend." Bill pinned
on the bars and wings of a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps at graduation.
Following fighter transition training in AZ, Bill's first assignment
was to Andrews AFB, MD in the legal office. In 1950, he was assigned to
Okinawa in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Back to the States,
Bill became APAS at East Carolina Teachers College, NC. In 1953, Bill went
to the Pentagon with the Office, Deputy chief of Staff, Operations. In
the 1960s, Bill became Comptroller for Holloman AFB, NM. In 1970, Bill
moved to Edwards AFB, CA as Comptroller. He retired in 1972 as a Lieutenant
Colonel.
Always an avid and excellent bridge player, Bill played professional
bridge across the country after retirement. He later settled in Hawaii
and continued to teach and play bridge. He co-authored a bridge book, '"Play
My Card." In addition, he directed bridge on Princess Cruise Lines for
several years. Bill and his wife, Ivy, moved to Tucson, AZ in 1981 and
then to the Saddlebooke community in 1992. He and Ivy continued to play
bridge for enjoyment. While in Saddlebrooke, Bill took up art and became
very proficient. He also belonged to the Saddlebrooke woodcarvers.
Bill Roney died 21 August 2001 and is survived by his wife, Ivy.
His friends and fellow bridge players fondly remember Bill. Bridge friend,
Val Ackerman, wrote: "Bill was an avid and excellent Life Master tournament
bridge player. Bill became a regular partner of mine. He was always a real
gentleman, soft spoken and kind and we miss him."
From Barbara and Jerry Foster: "You couldn't ask for a better neighbor
than Bill Roney. We immediately became good friends when Bill and Ivy moved
across the street form us in Tucson. Bill was a great storyteller who told
interesting stories of his travels and experiences. He was always helpful.
We will truly miss him."
From Rolfe Chase: "I am a 20 year friend of Bills, achieving that status
when I married an even longer friend to him and Ivy, my wife, Kitty. Kitty
helped me learn to play duplicate bridge and it has become our passion,
with Bill and Kitty as my mentors. We then lived in CA and NV and phone
calls to Bill were made often when we could not reach bridge agreement.
Bill could clear my foggy mind with one or two sentences. His and Ivy's
friendship remained an essential part of our life. I'll always remember
Bill, an honest man and a good friend."
The Class of 1946 is proud to add to the remembrances of his friends,
those simple words that would mean so much to our classmate: "Well Done,
Bill; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Ivy
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