William E. Neidner

Colonel William E. Neidner was born July 10, 1917 in Milwaukee, WI and died October 22, 2003. He attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He was drafted into the Army July 3, 1941, then as a corporal he was sent to Fort Lewis, WA with the 1st Battalion, 87th Regiment. He spent that winter on Mt. Rainier as a ski instructor. After completing OCS at Ft. Benning, GA in August 1942, he rejoined the division at Camp Hale, CO. From there he was sent to West Virginia to teach mountain tactics and rock climbing, then on to Camp McCoy, WS and northern Michigan to instruct the 2nd Division in winter camping and over-snow movement. He assumed command of Company A, 86th Mountain Infantry as a captain in the spring of 1944 at Camp Swift, TX. In Italy, he led Company A-86 as part of the assault of Riva Ridge. Discharged from the Army in 1945 and was a civilian ski instructor for the army in 1946. After passing the Regular Army exams, re-entered the service as a captain that same year. Among his assignments were battalion commander in the 1st Calvary in Japan and G-4 of the 1st Calvary in Korea. He was medically discharged with the rank of colonel at Ft. Sam Houston in 1970. During his career, he was awarded the Purple Heart, five Bronze Stars and commendation medals. Daughter, Nancy and son Bill, reside in Florida. Col. Neidner and his wife Karen have been married 35 years and live in Marble Falls, TX. His passion's have been traveling, golf, and fishing. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or to VistaCare, 8701 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 104, Austin, TX 78757 (800) 444-2405. Memorial Services will be at Clements Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 Hwy 281 N. at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, the 26th of October. Military Services to be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio are pending. CLEMENTS WILCOX FUNERAL HOME Marble Falls, TX 78654 (830) 693-4373