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William Toney Obituary

William T. (Bill) Toney, Jr. William T. (Bill) Toney, Jr. passed away on December 16, 2010, in Austin, Texas at the age of 97. He was born in Houston County, Texas, the eldest son of William Thomas Toney and Ida Ora Leonard Toney. After attending area schools, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Cavalry. After being discharged by the Army and working along the Texas border as a Border Patrol Agent, Bill enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Crescent City in World War II. Following WWII, he remained in the Navy Reserves and retired as a Commander, while still serving in the Border Patrol. He was a master marksman, and won the National Pistol Championship in 1952, and served as an official at the 1984 Olympics. After retiring from the Border Patrol, he joined the faculty of Stephen F. Austin State University and later worked for the State of Texas as a probation officer. Mr. Toney is survived by his children Anne Toney, Martha (Ron) Cunningham, John Toney, and William Toney III (Maggie); grandchildren William Small (Gina), Thomas Small (Stacy), Cullen Toney, Sarah Littler (Ben), Laura Smith (Kyle), Summer Toney, Rose Toney, Julia Toney, and William Toney IV. He is also survived by his great grandchildren Kati, Rebecca, TJ, Payton, Austin, and Alexander. Mr. Toney is also survived by his sisters Helen Toney, Demp Toney and Nelma Wilkinson. He was predeceased by his brothers H. Beeson and Vinnis Toney. The family would like to thank Apicon Home Healthcare, the staff of Cedar View Rehabilitation, and the fourth floor IMC staff of Seton Medical Center. Special thanks also to Laura, Kyle and Alexander for their care of Mr. Toney. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 20th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, North Lamar. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 in the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to the American Heart Association or your favorite charity. Memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Dec. 19, 2010.
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Memories and Condolences
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A TRUE BORDER PATROLEMAN AND GENTLEMAN
HE WAS MY FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR AND I REMEMBER TELLING HIM THAT MY ISSUED REVOLVER DIDN'T SHOOT WHERE I AIMED IT.HE SAID LET ME CHECK IT AND HE FIRED FIVE SHOTS THAT COULD BE COVERED BY A SILVER DOLLAR. HE SAID IT LOOKED OK TO HIM. I TOOK IT BACK AND SAID, OK, I'LL PRACTICE SOME MORE.

TOMMY THOMPSON

January 9, 2011

One of the great ones has gone. I knew Bill for many years and enjoyed his letters to the editor of the SAT newspaper. He was never my firearms instructor, but was my mentor. I had Harry Reeves as my firearms instructor in the Detroit PD and he knew Bill too. I had 33 years with the INS and the BP, as well as 38 years with the Army and retired from both. Bill was a fine model for any law officer or military officer. R.I.P. y vaya con Dios! My condolences to all his family.

Benton Adcock

December 29, 2010

May God be with you all and comfort you in your loss!!!
I never met Bill but I heard many good things about him. Iwas a member of the Border Patrol Pistol team for many years,
Lehman G. (Lee)Justice
ACPA,U.S.Border Patrol Retired

December 24, 2010

My condolences to the family of Bill Toney.
I had the privilege of getting to know Bill again at our bimonthly FORBPO meetings in Dallas. He had been my firearms instructor in the Academy in 1957-58 when he,d already made a name for himself nationally. He was one of the top U.S. Olympic competitors with the Free Pistol and it just happened that another was my instructor on the Detroit P.D. named Inspector Harry Reeves. They competed together in 1952,54 &56 that I know of. I had the opportunity to give Bill a 1959 issue of Gun Digest on 1/27/01 at an FORBPO meeting in Dallas, in which his was the lead article entitled "The Free Pistol" which he said he would give to a grandson.

In the several times I was able to meet and talk with him, he was a real gentleman, a quality guy.

He was one of the prime movers in F.A.I.R. We,ve lost a real asset to our country.

Ken Harris

Ken Harris

December 22, 2010

I first met Bill Toney when I EOD at El Paso in April 1953. He was instructing firearms to a class that was then in training at Camp Chigas and we rode the same city bus to Camp Chigas each morning, a number of us were working out of the El Paso Station, waiting for another class to begin. He wore our old kahki rough duties with a palm braid straw hat and no badge nor insignia that I remember, on the bus, so I wondered whether he was a civilian hand, but soon learned his position! After about 5 months, those of us in waiting were sent to McAllen for Training School and Mr. Toney was our firearms instructor. I always admired him; last seen him at an FORBPO conference several years ago. My condolences to his family.
Sincerely,
Edward L. Ostlund

Edward Ostlund

December 21, 2010

Bill Toney is the reason I took the Border Patrol test in 1958. As a Railroad policeman in the Memphis Central Station, I met him and his crew who were looking for illegal aliens who had left their work contracts and headed for the "north". I learned of his up-to-then career and fame as a marksman and TV specialist (hiding weapons on his person). Yet he was out in the field, doing his job. He motivated me to take the test. He was one of the most important people I met in my career. Today was my first time to hear of his death. I am so sorry, and share in the grief with the family.
George F. Carter, OIC, Mexico City(Retired) Newnan, Georgia

George Fred Carter

December 21, 2010

I never met Mr. Toney. We served in different locations. But I heard volumes about him. He is definitely "A Part of the Legend" My heartfelt condolences to his family. Ron Dowdy, Border Patrol, retired.

Ron Dowdy

December 21, 2010

My deepest sympathies to Bill Toney's family. I first met Bill as a young officer stationed in Comstock, Tx. He took me and several others under his wing helping us to compete in pistol shoots in South Texas. Later, in his retirement, I met him several times and always enjoyed his warmth and friendship. May God Bless him and his family, Mike Williams, retired.

Mike Williams

December 21, 2010

My condolences to all of Chief Toney's family. It was my pleasure to know him as an IPI in Del Rio from 1962 through 1966. He was a good man of many interests and abilities and a true legend in the Patrol. May he rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Chuck Hudson

Chuck Hudson

December 21, 2010

To the Toney Family I extend my condolonces to a fellow brother Border Patrol Agent. Even though I never met Mr. Toney, his is still a fellow brother and I know that the Lord will take him into HIS hands to guard HIS border.

Respectfully,

Benito Lopez, Retired, San Antonio, TX

Benito Lopez

December 20, 2010

Mr. Toney was the Deputy Chief at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in the early half of 1960. We trainees were most fortunate to have him there because he taught us well and inspired us. We've all lost one of the best.

Claude Guyant

December 20, 2010

Warm days and pleasant nights, Companero.

Don Clements

December 20, 2010

Although I never met him, I was taught handgun marksmanship by a man who was taught by Bill. He used to tell me that Bill was the greatest pistol shooter he'd ever seen. My deepest condolences to Bill's family and to our USBP family.

Frank Hawkins

December 20, 2010

To the Toney Family, My deepet sympathy. I firest met Bill in El Paso in Oct, 1954. He instructing at the Border Patrol School. Over thee years, I have had many visits with Bill. I was PAIC at Brackettville when he retired from Dep Chief at Del rio. I later had occasions to visit with him at Nacogdoches. A fine officer and Gentleman, he will be much missed by those of us who worked with him. Jack Carnley Huntington Texas.

Jack Carnley

December 20, 2010

To our relatives in the great state of Texas, we are also in deep sadness, here in the Carolina's. Uncle Bill was one of a kind. His phonecalls on our birthdays and his wise advice are truly missed.He has set the bar high for all of us to follow. I honestly know of no other man who has lived a fuller life. He was a great man and an inspirational American.Beeson,Papaw,and Uncle Bill together again,we'll never get in a word when we all meet in Heaven. Remember you are ALL loved. God Bless. Sandy,James,Marley,Tammy and the kids York S.C.

December 20, 2010

We would like to extend our deepest sypathies to the Toney Family. May he rest in peace. If there's anything we can do please let us know. God Bless.
Fristoe/Hernandez Family

December 19, 2010

Dixie Ellis

December 19, 2010

Mr. Toney was a fascinating man whose life pursuits were quite diverse. What a storyteller he was. I shared an office with him for a year and was entertained daily by some story he would tell, usually beginning with, "Phil, about 50 years ago..." Bill was a friend and I am sorry to hear of his passing. Rest in Peace Mr. T.

Philip Bonner

December 19, 2010

Bill Toney was a dedicated public servant who lived a full life. My sympathies are extended to his family and friends over their loss.

Dan Beto

December 19, 2010

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