William Wayne Witt

West Point, 1963

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Bob Krause on July 17, 2012:

WILLIAM WAYNE WITT -- EULOGY -- 20 JUNE 2011 -- Fort Myer Chapel Good Afternoon Everyone, 45 years ago, on a cold, wet, monsoon morning on a mountainous track in the Central Highlands of Vietnam -- Bill and I first met. We were each young Lieutenant advisors to Vietnamese Infantry Battalions operating along the Cambodian border. Later that night, we came across each other for the second time that day and we hunkered down together with maps and red-filtered flashlights to try to make sense of the confusing situation on the ground. It did not take long for me to realize that I was in the presence of a very special man -- someone I wanted for a friend. I offer this bit of history only because it occurs to me that each of you must surely remember the first time you met Bill, and for you too, it became important that Bill and his family become and remain a significant part of your lives. And here we all are, still together these many years and memories later, with Bill's family, only this time to bid farewell to our departed friend. Some say Bill was a quiet man. And when you first met Bill, that impression is understandable. But as you came to know him, you realized that it was more that he was just so efficient and purposeful with both his words and his actions. And as you came to know him even more, you realized that Bill possessed the most amazing set of attributes that allowed him to calmly, quietly and firmly guide the way forward -- in any life situation. We all know that Bill did not waste words; he said what he needed to say and stopped; he had no need to hear himself rattle on. His demeanor was alarmingly calm, no matter the level of challenge or stress. He did not get excited and rarely raised his voice. His gaze was clear, steady and penetrating. His intellect was superior and he exhibited a confident and reasoned approach to any situation he confronted; It seemed he always knew a faster and better way. His intuition about people was remarkable; believe me, he did not easily suffer fools. Bill's loyalty and dedication to his family, friends and the institutions in which he believed were unshakable. His integrity was of the highest order and absolutely non-negotiable. And on top of all this, he possessed an extraordinarily keen sense of humor, an easy laugh and an enthusiastic approach to camaraderie that made him just a heck of a lot of fun to be around. Young Bill remarked to me about a comment Bill's doctors made in describing Bill as being 2 standard deviations from the average person. Is it any wonder then that Bill had such an exceptional influence over all who entered his sphere? In the early 1970's, Bill, along with a number of bright young officers, NCOs and Department of Army Civilians, converged on the US Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, VA. The mission of this select group was to radically change the post Vietnam Army's culture on how it trained and prepared to fight -- individually and collectively. Although Bill always made significant impacts throughout his Army and industry careers, this sojourn at Fort Monroe may have been his finest moment in terms of fostering important, long-lasting improvements to our Army. Here, Bill brought to bear the full array of his remarkable intellectual abilities, advanced degree education in Systems Analysis and practical line officer experience to lead in the establishment of policies, standards and practices that remain in effect for our Army today. Superiors, Peers and Subordinates alike were impressed with Bill's ability to take a set of large complex problems, strip away the clutter, and focus attention on the truly core issues. He had a unique knack for making the complicated seem uncomplicated. His thinking on the big issues was so clear and sensible; and his arguments so persuasive that his analysis and solutions could be counted upon to carry the day -- all the way to the highest levels of the Army Leadership. Bill was the right man for the right job at the right time, and his contribution to the long term professionalism of our Army is indelibly stamped. Bill had a very clear sense of life's priorities, and as we all know, his most guarded priority was his family. Bill always fought hard for the best possible conditions for his family. The whole Witt family experience was made even richer because of Bill's wide ranging interests and talents that he passionately pursued with Betsy and the boys. Bill could do anything he wanted to -- play the banjo, control the top of the racquetball ladder, grow a bountiful garden, craft fine furniture, build a house -- on land or in a tree, hunt and fish like a pro -- to mention a few. He loved and respected nature, and he thrived in any outdoors environment, under any imaginable conditions. The nastier and rawer the weather for an early morning duck hunt, the more he loved it. He thoroughly enjoyed bluegrass music, NASCAR racing and RVing. And the list of his interests goes on.... as Bill lived life with his family to the fullest. Young Bill, Jim and Tom enthusiastically share many of these same interests today because of Bill's passion and willingness to always make time to teach and mentor his boys. Bill was so proud of his and Betsy's sons -- and for each of them as individuals in their own right. What a role model he was for these three young men! Now Betsy, we all know that you held sway over a house full of men -- and no "sissy men" here -- with all the man talk, activities and toys that were constantly around you. And your Colonel Bill was the ring-leader of this pack! I sometimes wondered how you so cheerfully endured this 24/7 all male world. It could only have been because of the absolute and unshakable love, respect and understanding you and Bill had for each other, and for your three magnificent sons. Betsy, you are one special lady -- and we all know it! Honestly, I am not sure what Bill would have done without you in his life. SO NOW IT COMES DOWN TO THIS........ William Wayne Witt -- a good Christian man; devoted Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Uncle; faithful friend -- has stood his last reveille on this earth. The distant bugles have summoned him to a higher place where he now awaits one more sounding of the muskets, one last mournful call of the bugle, and one final roll call. We have come together here today in these hallowed grounds for that roll call, and we can report: "All Present and Accounted for, Sir." We love you, Bill, and we miss you terribly. You have enriched our lives more than you will ever know. Rest in peace, Old Friend, rest in peace.........

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