William Morris Given

Bill was our battalion executive officer in 1st Battalion, 3d Marines in 1983-1984. An outstanding Marine officer in every respect, he was admired by all. Bill also loved baseballl, and we had a running duel over baseball trivia. An ardent Auburn football fan, he hated the Crimson Tide, but his wife was an Alabama fan, so there was an uneasy truce. Semper Fi, brother... you are missed.

Alida, today I received the Semper Fidelis newsletter. In the TAPS section, I learned of Bill´s passing. A flood of memories came roaring back: In the same platoon in OCS and TBS, he being an groomsman at our wedding at Quantico, our time at Camp Lejeune where he was a frequent guest (irritant) in our apartment. We lived within walking distance, and finally our time at Headquarters Marine Corps where Mary Ellen and I met you. Unfortunately, we lost touch but I´ve forgotten our time...

RIP. God bless the family and bring peace to your hearts.

"Cousin Billy" was my brothers age, a few years older than me. His stories when home from deployment were incredible. Bigger than life, great guy and a wonderful family.

Billy and I were buddies from about age five onward. I still have 16mm home movies of the two of us raising hell at the Birmingham Country Club swimming pool in the early 1950's. No one made me laugh quicker or more frequently than my pal Billie Given. What a loss for me that we fell out of touch during the turbulent Vietnam years. Rest in peace, old friend.