William Richard Bernard, 74, of Beltsville, MD passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, MD.   

Bill was born on April 17, 1942 in Sioux City, IA to William Philip and Dorothy Ida (Roe) Bernard.

Bill grew up in South Sioux City, NE. He graduated in1960 from South Sioux City High School where he played football and ran track. After graduation Bill attended Pasadena City College where he majored in music major (1960-1961).  

Bill joined the United States Army in 1962.  He was assigned to the U.S. Army Personnel Center, Far East, Kishine Barracks in Yokohama, Japan from Jul 62 through Sep 65.  He was a Personnel Specialist, the Message Center Clerk, the Unit Postal clerk, and the Manager of the Post Photo lab during that time.  He loved Japan and had many stories about his time there.   

Next Bill was assigned to HQ XIII, Corps, Ft. Devens, MA as a Transportation Movements Specialist/NCO (Sep 65 - Jul 66).

Bill was then accepted to the Quartermaster Officers’ Candidate School in Ft. Lee, VA.  (Jul 66 – Jan 67).  

After obtaining his commission, Bill was assigned to the 58th Supply Company, 245th Support and Service Battalion, 2nd Log Command in Machinato, Okinawa (Apr 67-Dec 67).  He was the S3 Officer from Dec 67 – May 68, and the Commanding Officer of the 58th Supply Company from May 68 – Jan 69.  He enjoyed target shooting and was on the base pistol team.  

In February 1969 Bill was assigned as a Supply and Services Officer to the 26th General Support Group, 1st Logistics Command, Phu Bai, Republic of Vietnam (RVN).  From May 69 – Jan 70 Bill was assigned to be the Commanding Officer of the 1002nd Supply and Services Company, 26th General Support Group, Phu Bai, RVN.   The 1002nd Supply and Service Company was made up of reserve troops from Ohio.  They were responsible for graves registration, motor pool, laundry and bath service, supplies and other logistical tasks.  Bill’s troops were located at Phu Bai, at Camp Eagle, and at Camp Evans.  The 1002nd Supply and Service Company also brought with them to Vietnam an ice cream making plant.  They made two different kinds of ice cream each day.  Bill loved to tell about taking ice cream in insulated cans out to the troops in the field.  

Bill loved learning and took college courses throughout his life career.   After earning 3 years of college credits, he applied and was chosen to attend the University of Nebraska Omaha as part of the Bootstrap program.  The Bootstrap program allowed an individual in the military to go to school full time for one year in order to finish a degree.  Bill graduated from UNMO with a BA in Business Administration in 1974.

Later Bill was assigned to the U.S. Army Combat Developments Experimentation Command at Ft. Ord, CA; to the U.S. Army Garrison at Vint Hill Farms Station, Warrenton, VA; to the U.S. Army Computer Systems Command at Ft. Belvoir, VA; to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy Office at the Pentagon; and lastly to the U.S. Army Drug and Alcohol Technical Activity.  

During his military career, Bill earned the Army Commendation Medal (1969), the Bronze Star (1970), the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) (1973), and the Army Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) (1978).  

Bill loved the Army and was honored to spend 20 years serving his country.  He retired from the Army in March 1982 as a Major.   

Following his military career, Bill was employed by the Army as a Wellness Center Program Specialist.  He obtained a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology with an Adlerian concentration from Bowie State University in 1989.  He was also a licensed and certified Addiction Counselor in the state of Maryland.  Bill worked as a civil servant counseling and assisting federal employees for 23 years.  He retired from the civil service in 2006 while employed at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, MD.  

Bill had a variety of interests.  He was a staunch fan of the University of Nebraska Cornhusker football team.  Bill loved music; He played the trumpet and the drums throughout his life.  He loved public speaking and was a member of several Toastmasters Clubs including the Harry Diamond Laboratory Toastmasters Club.  Bill enjoyed humor, and he loved to make people laugh.  He was an animal lover who liked to help stray cats and dogs.  Bill enjoyed target shooting and was a member of the Berwyn Rod and Gun Club in Bowie, MD.  Bill also loved reading and had an extensive library.  Through reading, Bill discovered the writings and ideas of the philosopher Ayn Rand.  Ms. Rand’s work made a significant impact on Bill’s personal philosophy of life. Most importantly, Bill was a member of Alcoholics Anomoyous for 38 years.      

Bill is survived by his wife of 26 years Marjorie Bennett, three daughters Jeannie Frock of Felton, DE, Carrie Smith of Golden, CO, and Jennifer Bernard of Groton, CT.  Bill has four granddaughters Holly Schlotfeldt of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Dixie and Annie Strange of Golden, CO, and Anna Henderson of Fredericksburg, VA.   Additionally Bill is also survived by his sisters Diane Pauley of Oceanside, CA and Cindy Van der Sterre of Hobbs, NM.  He had 4 nephews (Alex, Carl William, Sean and Lucas), 5 nieces (Penelope, Heather, Dorothy, Rachel, and Sarah), 2 great-nephews and 2 great-nieces.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Dorothy Bernard.

Bill was interested in charities that aid and assist veterans and their families.  One of Bill’s favorite charities was the Wounded Warrior Project. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor and memory of William R. Bernard, Major, US Army Retired.  

A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home, 4400 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD  20705-2751.

Internment will be at the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.  

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