William Earl Odom Jr.

ODOM Lt. Col. William Earl Odom, Jr., 89 USAR (Ret.) Died Thursday, December 6, 2007 at the Wicomico Nursing Home in Salisbury, MD. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth of Salisbury; his children, Nancy C. Porter of Tyaskin, MD, Col. Philip M. Odom USAF (Ret.) of Clifton, VA and Michael C. Odom of Mechanicsville, VA; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Born in Valdosta, GA, in 1918, he was the only child of William Earle Odom and Alberta Sommerkamp of Columbas, GA. He served briefly as a page in the U.S. House of Representatives, attended Western High School in Washington, DC, graduated from Georgia Military College in Milledgeville and in 1940, from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism and a commission in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was brought on to active duty in August 1941, participated in the “Louisiana Maneuvers”, and was assigned to the 156th Infantry Regiment, 31st “Dixie” Infantry Division. He married Elizabeth (Betty) Muir in March 1942 and deployed to England in September 1942. His unit was involved in the North African campaign, Italy and the invasion of Southern France. He returned to Washington, DC in November 1945 and attended Georgetown law School, securing a law degree in 1949. He continued to serve in the Army Reserves specializing in Civil Affairs and Military Government. He served in the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Defense until his retirement from civil service in 1975. He and his wife Betty relocated to Wytheville, VA in 1982 where he was active in state democratic politics. They moved to Salisbury in 1998 to be closer to their daughter and her family; Nancy and Hursey Porter, Alexis and Edmund O‘Leary and their children, Madison and Alexandra; Felicia and Tommy Creagan of Baltimore. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in the Spring of 2008. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are to be given to National Public Radio. Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.