William D. Wooldridge

Colonel William D. "Bill" Wooldridge died on August 25, 2002 at Parklane West, San Antonio, TX. Like the soldier he was, he fought a long, hard battle against heart and lung disease. He was born on September 7, 1925 at Ft. Monroe, Virginia. He graduated from Fishburne Military Academy in 1943, immediately enlisted in the Army, and fought in the European campaign. When he accepted his commission and became a regular Army officer, he was the third generation in his family to do so. Bill served in uniform for almost four decades, and fought in WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. Over the course of his career, he earned numerous decorations and awards, including the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He earned his B.A. from the University of Puget Sound, and his M.S. from the University of Southern California. He retired from Fort Sam Houston in 1981 as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Fifth Army, DCSPA. After his retirement, he was the Director of Personnel at the Institute of Texan Cultures for many years. Bill is survived by his bride of almost forty-nine years, Auria "Kip" Valentine Wooldridge, daughter and granddaughter of Army Officers. His son David and his wife Anna, his daughter Jean Valentine Grant and her husband Brad, his daughter Sharon, and four grandchildren, Charles, Aimee, Angelina, and Caitlyn, also survive himThe Rev. Robert Plested and Rev. J. Paul Worley officiating. Interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full Military Honors. If desired memorials may be sent to Institute of Texan Cultures, or to the Church of the Resurrection.