
I met Bill (as he told me to call him, never Mr. or professor) in undergraduate school at Stephan F. Austin in 1975. He was truly a great and kind man. While working for the University Police Department, I would make rounds at night locking up, and would often stop in Bill's office to visit for a few minutes, as he often worked late. He was always encouraging and willing to help with any thing I had trouble understanding or wanted to talk further about. As a shooting enthusiast from age 10, we swapped many stories and laughs (mostly on ourselves). I was amazed when he said he was friends with Bill Jordan, as I had been a fan of his straightforward writing for several years, and had recently purchased a copy of "No Second Place Winner". Bill ask if I wanted it autographed, since Mr. Jordan was passing through town in a few days and was stopping over. I was quick to jump at the chance and said I would bring him the book. Bill said "Naw, just keep it and come by the office Thursday night and you can meet him". I spent 2 of the best hours of my life listening to them tell true tales of years past. I will never forget that or "Bill" as long as I live. 



Thank you, Bill, for your service to our country.



To Martha Cunningham,  Shame on you, You bring tears to my eyes every time I read your message regarding your love for your daddy Bill Toney. I have no doubt that he was a great Daddy for you. Of course You knew him better than I did but he was such a man and was surely a fine daddy for you. I wish you good luck and a happy & prosperous future.



I miss you, Daddy.  This Christmas I still looked for your favorite chocolate drops for you.  You are the finest example of a man and father I could ever have wanted.  Family meant everything to you, keeping in touch with everyone, remembering birthdays and special occasions, encouraging everyone to be the best they could be.  I am at peace because I know you are in Paradise and I wait for the time we will be together again.  Rest in peace, my sweet Daddy.



Long before I entered on duty with the Border Patrol in 1976 I had heard of Bill Toney.  Friends of mine in Florida that attended the National Pistol Matches at Camp Perry spoke in glowing terms of Bill Toney and what a fine gentlemen he was.

When I began shooting with the National Team in 1977 such stalwarts as Chester Wilson, Charlie Pirtle, Harlan Carter, Bill Jordan and Bill Hilden spoke of Bill Toney often and fondly.  Clearly Bill Toney epitomized in their minds what a Border Patrol Officer/Competitor should aspire to be, and, coming from those five men that was no small compliment.

At the National Police Revolver Championships at Jackson, Mississippi, in 1980 I was shooting a pre-nationals practice match at the Jackson Police Department Range in Jackson immediately to the right of Charlie Pirtle.  After we finished shooting stage C & D of match five this tall vigorous looking seasoned citizen fell into step with Charlie and I as we went down to retreive our targets.  When Charlie looked at the man walking with us he did a double take and nearly hugged the man calling out, "Why, if it ain't Old Bill Toney.  Am I glad to see you!"  We spent over an hour talking with Bill Toney and he appeared as large in life as in the legends.  It was a high point in my career to be able to say I had met the man that goes with the legend that is Bill Toney, Patrol Inspector, U.S. Border Patrol.

Vaya Con Dios Senor

G.Z. 'Zack' Taylor, 112th BPA, Rio Rico, Arizona



Bill was my firearms instructor in  class 53.  He later, with the help of the Other Bill,   Jordan,  and Elemer Keith,   coached me  in firearms, especially pistols.. It was because of him that I beat the Mexican National Pistol Champion.  I have always spoken of my relationship with him with Pride.   He 'was' the Border Patrol in spirit and action...  



Bill Toney was  the Firearms instructor when I went thru the Border Patrol Acadamy at El Paso in 1954.  To me he was a real mans man. He had been the National Pistol Champion in 1952. I transferred back  to El Paso from Houston in 1957  and he was the Asistant Chief.  I aspired to be a member of the pistol team and he kind of took me under his arm.  He was the only "jefe" that would issue enough ammunition to me to compete in the local matches. He patiently tutored me until I did become a member of the National Team.  In my books he was the greatest and I have very fond memories of him.
Roy Huntley
Harrison, Arkansas



I first met Bill during the 1954 National Matches At Camp Perry, Ohio.  I was there as a member of the Califonria National Guard rifle Team.  I was so impressed with him and the Border Patrol team members, that, after the matches, I returned home to Sacramento, California, discovered that the US Border Patrol was hiring and by November, of that same year, I was in El Paso Texas as a probatioary Patrol Inspector and Bill Toney was my Firearms instructor; Bill Joyner and John Foremn were his assistants.  I graduated in the 58th Session and through the years that followed, I was priveleged to occasionally meet and work with him.  Bill was a good man, a man of his word and he will be missed.  


OBITUARY

William (Bill) Toney

September 6, 1913 – December 16, 2010

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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