23 January 1936 William Lea Palmer was born to Yates Shuford Palmer M.D. and Lillian Allen Wrigglesworth Palmer, R.N. of Valdese, N.C..
06 June 1955 He graduated from Asheville School, Asheville, N.C., and in September entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
19 February 1959 William L. Palmer joined the North Carolina National Guard, graduated from Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Ga., and commissioned 06 October 1961 as an Infantry Officer.
He was an Airborne ranger qualified as a Special Forces Officer and a Pathfinder with interest in health sustaining activities, volunteer service (Habitat for Humanity International) and extensive travel.
Awards and Decorations include: The Combat Infantryman's Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star (1 "V" devise & 5 oak leaf clusters), Purple Heart, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star (twice awarded).
Colonel Palmer retired 19 April 1991.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill '59, '62 AB (chemistry) where he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon, Gorgon's Head Lodge, and served as a member of the UNC Board of Visitors June 1994 to April 1997.
05 April 2002 at Fort Benning, Ga., Colonel Palmer was inducted into the US Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Honor.
Heritage Funeral Service
1507 Main St. E, Valdese, NC 28690
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