William Robert Greer - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Will Greer was born in Ireland on September 22, 1909 and came to the United States in 1929 at the age of 20. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and joined the Secret Service following the war. In 1950 he joined the Presidential Protection staff where he served Presidents Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy. On November 22, 1963, Will Greer was assigned to drive the Presidential Limousine during the motorcade through the streets of Dallas, Texas. As the motorcade made its way down Elm Street, three shots were fire from a 6th floor window of the Texas School Book Depository, fatally injuring President Kennedy and wounding Texas Governor John Connally. After a number of investigations and reviews, none of the agents including Greer were disciplined. Will Greer retired from the secret service in 1966 due to illness and later relocated to North Carolina. Will Greer died of cancer on February 23, 1984 and is resting in the Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesville, North Carolina.

Description: William Robert Greer was born on September 22, 1909 in Stewartstown, County Tyrone, Ireland. In 1929, at the age of 20, Greer came to the United States and began working as a chauffeur to a number of wealthy families in the Boston Massachusetts area. He enlisted in the United States Navy, serving during World War II. Following the war Greer began his career with the United States Secret Service on October 1, 1945. Five years later, in November 1950 he joined the Presidential Protection staff where she served as a chauffeur for Presidents Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy. On November 22, 1963, Will Greer was assigned to drive the Presidential Limousine during the motorcade through the streets of Dallas, Texas. The highly publicized Route of the motorcade would take President and Mrs. Kennedy along with Texas Governor and Mrs. John Connally from Love Field to the Dallas Trade Mart. The crowds of people were large, standing several people deep as the motorcade made its way slowly up Main Street. As the motorcade made the sharp right turn onto Houston Street, the crowds had thinned considerably and only a few people were standing in Dealy Plaza as the Presidential Limousine made a sharp left turn onto Elm Street in front of the Texas School Book Depository. As the Limousine proceeded made its way down Elm Street toward the triple underpass three shots were fired from a 6th floor window of the Book Depository fatally injuring President Kennedy and seriously wounding Governor Connally. After an initial hesitation the Presidential Limousine with Greer at the wheel sped toward Parkland Hospital where President Kennedy was pronounced dead and Governor Connally received treatment for his wound. Will Greer, like all of the agents assigned to the Presidential Detail testified before the Warren Commission, and as a result of several independent investigations, none of the agent were disciplined for their actions. Will Greer continued to work for the Secret Service until 1966 when he retired on disability due to a stomach ulcer. In 1973 he relocated to the Waynesville area of North Carolina where he died of cancer on February 23, 1985. Special Agent William Greer is resting in the Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesville, North Carolina. Date of birth: 09/22/1909 Date of death: 02/23/1985 Area of notoriety: Law Enforcement Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily - 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log   08/17/2012 hammerjane visited it