Posted by Fred Schweiger on June 6, 2014:

WILLIAM BAYNARD HARPER Cullum No. 19961 * 19 Feb 1932-10 Jun 1985 * Died in Atlanta, GA BILL HARPER was the kind of man every person he knew looked to for wisdom, advice, and understanding. He was an attentive man when you needed someone to listen, a jovial man when it was time to celebrate, and his great sense of humor was always present to disarm a tense situation or make a good situation better. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke he did so with strength, love, and integrity. He was an amazing listener and truly walked through this life with compassion and humility. Bill was a beloved husband, father and friend. Bill met his first wife, Emily Bailey Walker on a blind date in Georgia. They were married quite soon thereafter, as Bill swept Bailey away from her "southern belle" life into the markedly different role of an army wife. Bailey loved Bill and they both loved the camaraderie, the travel, and the true community of the Army. Their two children, Bill Jr. and Blair were born in 1958 and 1963, respectively, and for many years they traveled from post to post as an Army Family. Bill also came from an army family, as his father served in WWII in the 101st Airborne. Bill's military career included Airborne and Ranger training immediately after graduation from USMA. At the Airborne School in Fort Benning, it turned out that 2nd Lt Harper made his first jump with the Infantry School Commander, Major General Joseph H. Harper. It was quite a newsworthy event, and the LT and MG were allegedly asked by the press upon landing "Did you push, or did he pull?" Soon thereafter, Bill pursued his dream of flying and became an Army Aviator He served in many capacities in Army Aviation and other staff jobs, served a tour in Vietnam, the general staff in The Pentagon, and returned to Fort Rucker in his later years, finally retiring as the 4th Battalion Commander. Bill's military service awards included the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, thirteen Air Medals, and three Commendation Medals. Unfortunately, while at Fort Rucker, his wife Bailey died due to complications from a delicate surgical procedure. That hastened Bill's retirement in 1974 after 20 years of military service, and his main focus in life became the welfare of his children. His son, William Howard Harper, went off to prep school to pursue his dream of flying in the Air Force, while his daughter Emily Blair Harper continued her education in Macon, Georgia, with the support of Bailey's parents, where Bill Sr. and Blair lived for three years. At that time, Bill met his second wife, Ann Blackburn Champion and they were married a few years later in 1976. He stepped right into the role of father to Ann's two children, Tom and Carol, with the same benevolence and leadership that he had shown his own children. The family blended together very quickly with him as The Dad. The next 10 years were a wonderful decade in the story, very similar to the "Brady Bunch". Ann and Bill worked in the Smith Hardware store near Buckhead, Atlanta, where they extended their open hearts and warm compassion to all. Bill loved to work in his shop and was quite the handyman-craftsman, so this skill and his welcoming personality was a wonderful mix; he was in his "sweet spot" for those years in Atlanta. Those were bountiful years indeed and very rich to Bill's soul. He was a happy man and those were ten happy years. During that time, all four children continued their education through college and left the nest to pursue their lives. Bill Jr. had graduated from the USAFA and was a student pilot at Columbus AFB. A picture from those years with Bill Jr. sitting in the jet with his grandfather MG (Ret) Joseph Harper on the right and Bill Sr. on the left is a family treasure. They were all smiling because Bill, Jr. (who got a good sense of humor from his dad), in a moment of levity, placed his 2nd Lt hat on the general's head. Alas, again, tragedy struck, and Bill was diagnosed with cancer in 1984 and fought a tough battle with that cruel disease. Ann was by his side the whole time, sharing the remaining months, as were his four children who returned regularly to spend his last days with him. He fought hard, lived a good life and blessed so many, and passed away with dignity in 1985 at the age of 53. One thing is certain: Bill Harper departed this world too early. Way too early. So many people live much longer and yet they spend their lives in pursuit of things and stuff, money and power. Often they find regret of that toward the end of their lives. Bill invested his time in people. It seems now, looking back, that the things that really mattered to him were a means to that end -- relationships. Whether it was as a Battalion Commander or a friend, from the plumbing aisle at Smith Hardware or over a great hand of cribbage, he was interested in you. His value of the person in his presence transcended their color or station in life, rank, religion, status or sexuality. In every moment of his life, Bill modeled for us the principle that all people are worthy. Experience has taught us that while we may forget many experiences concerning another person, we never forget how that person made us feel. Bill Harper made us all feel valued, respected, appreciated, and loved, oh, how he loved his family. So for all the details of his military career and other resume points that we have forgotten, this we know: Bill Harper was a genuinely humble, kind, thoughtful man with a very deep and tender heart. We miss him deeply while we are filled with gratitude for the time we had together. Bill, you were the kind of man that makes this world a better place. Your patient and gentle nature, your wisdom and tenderness, and your integrity have all inspired us to live a life such as yours. We will always remember to laugh at the curve balls that life throws at us, because you taught us that. And we will cherish every day, living it fully, because that was the way you did it. Walk Tall and Face the Sky, Bill Harper, our lives will always be enriched by your spirit. Written by William H. Harper on behalf of Bill's family

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