1922
H.
2010
H. William Card
July 3, 1922 — July 18, 2010
Harlingen, Texas:
H. William “Bill” Card Jr. of Harlingen, TX, passed into heaven on July 18, 2010, God’s good and faithful servant. Bill was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 3, 1922. He grew up in California before beginning a life of dedicated service to his country through his tour of duty in the Marine Corps. Bill Card enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on his 17th birthday in 1939 and was sworn in by his father, Brigadier General Horace W. Card, USMC.
His service to his country included action aboard the USS Pennsylvania where he participated in the defense of Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941; the Roi-Namur Islands Operation of the Marshall Islands campaign in 1944; the Saipan Island campaign as well as Tinian Island, Marianas Islands and Iwo Jima. During the Korean War, he took part in the landing at Inchon and fought in the liberation of Seoul. After making the landing at Wonson, he participated in the fight north to the Chosin Reservoir.
Colonel Card served 29 years in the U.S. Marine Corps in a variety of command, staff, diplomatic, education and joint services duties, including acting as military advisor to the Chinese Marine Corps in Taiwan from 1958 to 1960; his career culminating in staff assignment with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, following graduation from the National War College, Washington, D.C. in 1967.
Colonel Card was decorated during his honorable service to his country with the Legion of Merit medal, two Bronze Star medals with Combat “V”, the Navy Commendation medal, four Presidential Unit Citations, the Secretary of the Navy Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Reserve medal, American Defense medal with one star, American Campaign medal, Asiatic-Pacific medal with five stars, National Defense medal, Korean Campaign medal with six stars and the United Nations medal. Further, he and his father were the only father and son in the Marine Corps to hold the Rifle Gold Medal evidencing distinguished marksmanship.
After his retirement from military service, Colonel Card chose Harlingen as his home. Just as he served his country those many years in the Corps, he chose to serve his community here in the Valley. In 1968, he joined the Marine Military Academy as Commandant of Cadets, Senior Marine Instructor and Director of Development. After his retirement from the Academy in 1975, Colonel Card went into banking. He began this career as Vice President First National Bank, Harlingen; then became President of InterFirst Bank in 1984 and Vice Chairman of the Board, NCNB Texas National Bank in 1988. From 1989-1996, he served as Vice Chairman of Texas Commerce Bank – RGV, and finally, served as Advisory Director and Consultant of Coastal Banc in the lower Rio Grande Valley, all the while remaining on the Board of Trustees for the Marine Military Academy.
Throughout his entire life in Harlingen, Colonel Card worked with a variety of civic organizations, too numerous to list. In January of 1987, he was sworn in as Mayor of Harlingen, a role he was honored to hold until 1998. Some of Mayor Card’s accomplishments during his tenure included the establishment and construction of the Free Trade bridge in Los Indios, Texas; the designation of Harlingen as an “All American City” in 1992; renovation and operation of Harlingen International Airport; construction and operation of the Sports Complex; the new public library, the public museum and the improvement of the public auditorium. He was responsible for bringing numerous companies into Harlingen and was very instrumental in getting the University of Texas Regional Academic Health Center located in Harlingen.
Bill Card was affectionately known as “Mayor” and “Colonel” by those that knew him in the public. At home, he was “Papa” to his loving family. For all the dedication and love he exhibited to his country and this community, it didn’t compare to his love for his family. Colonel Card is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Garrison Good Card. They had four children, Bill Card III (Darla), Patti Card Smith (David), Gerri Maxfield and Cheryl Gray (deceased) (Harold.) The Colonel was also a proud grandfather to six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. His entire family mourns his loss deeply knowing that there will never be another man like him.
“Papa” was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather whose love for his family was only exceeded by his love for God. He spent his entire life in service; service to God and our church, service to our country and service to this community. If you asked my father what his greatest legacy was, he would state without reservation, his family. But to those that only knew his public persona, Bill Card’s legacy will live on in his great works; works that came from his deep seated commitment to “Duty, Honor, Country.”
He was an Officer and a Gentleman, in every sense. The Marine motto, “Semper Fi” exemplified Bill Card’s life…always faithful.
His family would like to thank all of the outpouring of love from this community he loved so very much. Finally, as Colonel Card requested, in lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Emergency Medical Services “EMS”, Harlingen; P.O. Box 533668; Harlingen, Texas 78553-3668, or a charity of your choosing.
A memorial service will be held at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church; Harlingen, Texas on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 4 p.m. with Rt. Rev. David Reed and Rev. Scott Brown officiating.
You may extend your condolences to the Card family at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
H. William “Bill” Card Jr. of Harlingen, TX, passed into heaven on July 18, 2010, God’s good and faithful servant. Bill was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 3, 1922. He grew up in California before beginning a life of dedicated service to his country through his tour of duty in the Marine Corps. Bill Card enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on his 17th birthday in 1939 and was sworn in by his father, Brigadier General Horace W. Card, USMC.
His service to his country included action aboard the USS Pennsylvania where he participated in the defense of Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941; the Roi-Namur Islands Operation of the Marshall Islands campaign in 1944; the Saipan Island campaign as well as Tinian Island, Marianas Islands and Iwo Jima. During the Korean War, he took part in the landing at Inchon and fought in the liberation of Seoul. After making the landing at Wonson, he participated in the fight north to the Chosin Reservoir.
Colonel Card served 29 years in the U.S. Marine Corps in a variety of command, staff, diplomatic, education and joint services duties, including acting as military advisor to the Chinese Marine Corps in Taiwan from 1958 to 1960; his career culminating in staff assignment with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, following graduation from the National War College, Washington, D.C. in 1967.
Colonel Card was decorated during his honorable service to his country with the Legion of Merit medal, two Bronze Star medals with Combat “V”, the Navy Commendation medal, four Presidential Unit Citations, the Secretary of the Navy Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Reserve medal, American Defense medal with one star, American Campaign medal, Asiatic-Pacific medal with five stars, National Defense medal, Korean Campaign medal with six stars and the United Nations medal. Further, he and his father were the only father and son in the Marine Corps to hold the Rifle Gold Medal evidencing distinguished marksmanship.
After his retirement from military service, Colonel Card chose Harlingen as his home. Just as he served his country those many years in the Corps, he chose to serve his community here in the Valley. In 1968, he joined the Marine Military Academy as Commandant of Cadets, Senior Marine Instructor and Director of Development. After his retirement from the Academy in 1975, Colonel Card went into banking. He began this career as Vice President First National Bank, Harlingen; then became President of InterFirst Bank in 1984 and Vice Chairman of the Board, NCNB Texas National Bank in 1988. From 1989-1996, he served as Vice Chairman of Texas Commerce Bank – RGV, and finally, served as Advisory Director and Consultant of Coastal Banc in the lower Rio Grande Valley, all the while remaining on the Board of Trustees for the Marine Military Academy.
Throughout his entire life in Harlingen, Colonel Card worked with a variety of civic organizations, too numerous to list. In January of 1987, he was sworn in as Mayor of Harlingen, a role he was honored to hold until 1998. Some of Mayor Card’s accomplishments during his tenure included the establishment and construction of the Free Trade bridge in Los Indios, Texas; the designation of Harlingen as an “All American City” in 1992; renovation and operation of Harlingen International Airport; construction and operation of the Sports Complex; the new public library, the public museum and the improvement of the public auditorium. He was responsible for bringing numerous companies into Harlingen and was very instrumental in getting the University of Texas Regional Academic Health Center located in Harlingen.
Bill Card was affectionately known as “Mayor” and “Colonel” by those that knew him in the public. At home, he was “Papa” to his loving family. For all the dedication and love he exhibited to his country and this community, it didn’t compare to his love for his family. Colonel Card is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Garrison Good Card. They had four children, Bill Card III (Darla), Patti Card Smith (David), Gerri Maxfield and Cheryl Gray (deceased) (Harold.) The Colonel was also a proud grandfather to six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. His entire family mourns his loss deeply knowing that there will never be another man like him.
“Papa” was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather whose love for his family was only exceeded by his love for God. He spent his entire life in service; service to God and our church, service to our country and service to this community. If you asked my father what his greatest legacy was, he would state without reservation, his family. But to those that only knew his public persona, Bill Card’s legacy will live on in his great works; works that came from his deep seated commitment to “Duty, Honor, Country.”
He was an Officer and a Gentleman, in every sense. The Marine motto, “Semper Fi” exemplified Bill Card’s life…always faithful.
His family would like to thank all of the outpouring of love from this community he loved so very much. Finally, as Colonel Card requested, in lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Emergency Medical Services “EMS”, Harlingen; P.O. Box 533668; Harlingen, Texas 78553-3668, or a charity of your choosing.
A memorial service will be held at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church; Harlingen, Texas on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 4 p.m. with Rt. Rev. David Reed and Rev. Scott Brown officiating.
You may extend your condolences to the Card family at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of H. William Card, please visit our flower store.