The family of William Houston Williams have requested the Patriot Guard to accompany William to his final resting place. It is our honor to do so.
Bill was born 17 Sep 1931 in Paris, Texas. He was the youngest of three and remained close with his siblings his entire life. He was an adventurous child. In fact, some called him a rebel rouser. He loved watching the military aircraft fly out of Love Field where his dad worked as a mechanic. This sparked his interest in flying and the military as well. Bill joined the Marines in 1947 as a reserve and in 1950 for active duty. Bill proudly served in Korea and attained the rank of Sergeant. He received the Korean Service Medal, the UN Service Medal, and Korean Presidential Unit Citation as well as the National Defense Medal. Bill was honorably discharged in 1954.
Bill transitioned into civilian life, started a family with his first wife, Jacqueline, having two children, Blake and Tina. He continued his life of service with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department where he earned the nickname “Wild Bill.” He was someone you didn’t want to mess with. He was also part of the Mounted Patrol. Bill was medically retired after 24 years but continued in the safety and security field for various entities. Bill fulfilled a dream of becoming a pilot - owning a Cessna in the 80s. In the 90s, he traveled to Honduras with a friend to find the “Lost City of Gold.” In 1996, he worked with the International Police Task Force in Bosnia for 18 months. In 2000, he provided security to a Kazakhstan satellite and even signed it. It still orbits earth today. Bill and Barbara were members of various churches. Bill remained in contact with many of those he met along the way meeting with Veterans and attending the Sheriff Department breakfast. Bill was a man of integrity.
His amazing life will be forever cherished by his wife, Barbara, of 32 years; his son Blake (Kathy); his daughter Tina (Kirby); his stepdaughter Stefanie (Ryan); as well as four grandchildren and five great- grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. And, let us not forget his dogs Mollie, Lali, and Kaiser, who he cherished. His passing will leave a void in every life he touched.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero from the mortuary to the cemetery, approximately 42 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
TIMELINE FOR THURSDAY 24 MARCH 20221130 - Stage at Hilgenfeld Mortuary, 120 E. Broadway, Anaheim, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/8f9sRbjDHS75Ejy391200 - Mission briefing.
1220 - Flag Line for dignified transfer to coach.
1230 - KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/WKCohsDpg3tpwNzs61400 - ETA Riverside National Cemetery.
1430 - KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line and Military Honors.
R/C CRAIG LANE (AKA JIP-C) USMC
SOCAL PGR RIDE CAPTAIN
bigredroadglide@yahoo.com760-900-0388
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
