Col (Ret.) William E. “Bill” Grugin

Retired Army Colonel William Everitt Grugin, 95, longtime resident of Sunbury, Georgia, died Friday, May 24, 2024 at the Station Exchange Senior Care Facility in Richmond Hill, Georgia. 

Bill Grugin was born on a farm near Frankfort, Kentucky, on August 10, 1928.  Upon graduation from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1951, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and attended the US Army Infantry School at Ft Moore, Georgia (then Ft Benning).

Bill’s first assignment was to the 2d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1951, where he was excited to be a Paratrooper.  Bill married the love of his life, Betty June Hale, in 1952 at Fort Campbell, just six days prior to deploying to Korea. During the Korean War he was assigned to the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division.  

He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry during a long operation behind enemy lines in which he had to replace another commander who was killed in action. Later he was assigned to Vietnam as an advisor to the 10th Vietnamese Regiment.  He received the Bronze Star for valor, and the Soldier’s Medal for bravery in saving the life of another soldier after a helicopter crew was shot down.  Grugin also was awarded fourteen Air Medals. 

Bill earned a Master’s Degree in South American geography from Columbia University, after which he taught geography at West Point.  He was an advisor to the Colombian Army, and later the Defense Attache to Peru.  His final assignment in uniform was as the Special Assistant to the Commanding General of the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.  

Bill and Betty had a happy life through multiple moves by the Army.  They thrived as they raised two daughters, Kimberly and Robin, from the United States to Japan to South America and Central America.  Betty was a wonderful Army wife, mother, grandmother, and artist.  After retirement from the Army, Bill fully supported Betty as her art career blossomed in coastal Georgia, and across the United States.  They could frequently be found traveling to art shows and competitions, with Betty taking the lead and Bill happily second in command. Bill Grugin loved taking his grandchildren fishing and for rides on carousels.  He was proud of the Koi in his backyard pond and fed them frequently—maybe too frequently?  Self-taught, Bill was a highly skilled carpenter and mechanic.  Bill and Betty loved to go on cruises to exotic places, and would end up going on 38 cruises altogether.  Theirs was a real love story.  

Bill Grugin was predeceased by his wife, Betty, in 2011; and also his daughter, Kimberly, in 2013.  Kimberly was married to retired Army Lieutenant General Glenn Webster, former Commander of 3d Infantry Division and Fort Stewart, Georgia.  Bill is survived by his devoted daughter, Robin Grugin Zamory, a resident of Melbourne, Florida, and her husband, Steve. Bill is also survived by five grandchildren: Alina Michele Flannery, Diana Michele Flannery, Marleah Webster Domergue, Sarah Webster Johnson, and Major William Webster; as well as fifteen loving great grandchildren.  

Funeral services at Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home, 1822 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, GA, 31313, this Saturday, June 1, 2024 with visitation from 1pm to 3pm, followed by a celebration of life with Pastor Brenda Crawford officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Bill’s name to the West Point Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996.  

Committal services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.

Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home, Flemington, is handling the arrangements. 

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