Will was born and raised in Southeast, Washington, D.C., where he attended the now defunct Woodward School for Boys, following graduation will attended the University of Maryland.  Upon graduation, he received a ROTC Commission in the United States Air Force. It was his service in the Vietnam Era Air Force that earned him his eligibility to become a Voyager.

Will’s comes from a long line of public servant; his early years instilled a strong sense of faith and duty, which drives him to serve his Church and the American Legion today. Will’s father served as deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Department and his mother, a public school teacher.  In addition to his parent’s, Will’s Grandfather an undersecretary of the Navy during the Second World War, which was reason he joined the Air Force?

Will spent his entire career in NORAD, at the time a joint US – Canadian command. He served as Commander of a small radar site. During his service he served as weapons director, trainer of radar operators and weapons controllers (Command Centers; Command and Control Operations). 

Like many of us, Will was stationed in some prime locations: North Bay, Ontario where the annual snowfall is 107 inches; and Cambridge Bay, NWT is part of the North Warning System location of Canada's High Arctic Research Station. As a respite from the garden spots of the Great White North, Will spent time in Florida, but the majority of his active duty years was Cheyenne Mountain, outside (my favorite town) Colorado Springs, Colorado, at HQ NORAD.  Here he met Anita when they both were assigned to the program office charged with the upgrade of the aging air defense computer system. For his years of service Will was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Upon separation, Will returned to the DC area, and started a new career as a “stay-at-home dad,” with daughters Allison and Emily.

This led to numerous volunteer opportunities within their schools and the community, including the La Societe and the American Legion. 

As Will has continued his service as a full-time dad, and church volunteer. He found more time to volunteer his exceptional services to Veterans. It is this service that brings us here today. Some highlights of Will’s service include:

• Chef de Gare Passe Voiture Locale 265
• Member, Air Defense Radar Veterans Association
• Member, Air Force Association
• Maryland Department of Education Outstanding Volunteer Service Award (1000+ hours), 2002
• Greater Damascus Volunteer of The Year, 2005