William Abbott

William (Bill) T. Abbott of Georgetown, Texas passed away March 30, 2015 with his family by his side. He was 75.
He was born January 1, 1940, at Fort Sill (Lawton), Oklahoma, to Mose and Mildred Abbott and was a devoted husband to Ly T. Nguyen, wife of 43 years, and dedicated father to three children. Bill graduated from Lawton High School, earned his BS from University of Alaska Fairbanks and MBA from University of Alaska Anchorage. Bill was a dedicated livestock showman and member of FFA and 4-H Club during high school. He achieved a State Degree in FFA in 1958 and would often appear in the local paper having won competitions. Bill enlisted into the US Army in 1959 and served 3 tours of duty in Vietnam. The first tour as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Airborne Brigade, within which--during the Battle of "Ap Bac"--a contingent of the South Vietnamese Airborne Brigade and their american advisors of MAAG Vietnam were inserted at dusk by Static Line Parachute into a "hot" LZ. Because they were under fire as they landed, this was the first and perhaps only true combat jump of the Vietnam War. SP4 Abbott was injured with shrapnel to the ankle and blunt force trauma to the knee during a "Search and Destroy" mission. The second tour as a radio operator assigned to HHC, 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division and to HHC, Brigade Task Force of 25th Infantry Division- operating under direction of The Phoenix Project. And the third tour as a Special Forces radio operator/recon team specialist operating under CCN, MACV 'SOG', 5th Special Forces Group--which was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation after combat records were declassified in 2001. SSGT Abbott was a principle warrior in the siege of Khe Sanh at its peak. During his distinct service, SSGT Abbott earned The Bronze Star with Valor and The Purple Heart, and contributed to 5th SF Group's Presidential Unit Citation. SSGT Abbott was honorably discharged from active duty in 1968. When Bill ever spoke of his service in Vietnam, he liked to say, "I was a triple volunteer--I volunteered to join the Army, I volunteered for Airborne and Special Forces, and I volunteered to go to Vietnam." Accompanied by his family, Bill went on to adventurous employment in the shipping and oil industries around the globe managing companies in Singapore, The Netherlands, Canada, Saudi Arabia as well as Texas, California, New Jersey, and Alaska. Some of his credentials include Merchant Marine and ship captains' licenses. Mr. Abbott retired in 2004 from his post as Port Director/Harbor Master of Homer, Alaska after expanding port facilities and deepening the harbor to allow in larger vessels such as cruise ships. Soon after he returned to work teaching maritime-related courses. Drawn to the water, Bill sought a life at sea on his own time in addition to his maritime activities. He owned and operated various tugboats and fishing boats which served him well in his capacity as a professional and hobbyist. An avid fisherman since boyhood, Bill shared this passion with his family turning them into accomplished fishers of trout, salmon, and halibut in the rivers and seas of Alaska, Texas, and Oklahoma.
He is survived by his wife Ly and children: Benjamin Abbott, Katherine Abbott, and Thomas Abbott; his grandson Scout Hodge; his mother Mildred Stevenson; and his sisters Norma Ray and Judy Burns. He is predeceased by his sister Rosemary Widdig and father Mose Abbott and stepfather Chuck Stevenson.

Visitation

HarperTalasek Chapel
506 N. 38th Street
Killeen, TX  76543
Thursday, April 9, 2015
11:00 a.m.

Service

Graveside Services

Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
11463 State Highway 195
Killeen, TX  76542
Thursday, April 9, 2015
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
11463 State Highway 195
Killeen, TX  76542