William Waring Gaffney

Bill was born in White Plains, New York to Edward and Margaret on 31st March 1936. He went to school in White Plains and graduated from Fordham University in New York City.

Thereafter he joined the Army and was then stationed in Germany where he met his first wife, Ursula and he commanded the 5th and 6th Artillery missile battalion. Back in the USA he was stationed in Fort Sills and Fort Bliss before teaching at Delaware Military Academy. Then came his deployment in Vietnam – he served as a Major there for 2.5 years. Returning to the USA his next assignment brought him to the Pentagon in Washington D.C. where he organized the Bicentennial Election Victory of Jimmy Carter. Bill’s formal release from the active military service as a Lieutenant Colonel was back in Germany in 1983 after being the Director of the DPCA (Director of Personnel and Community Affairs) in Baumholder, Germany. He created a Community Events Center, growth of the Morale Support Fund, the development of the Community Life Program, the expansion of the Learning Centers from 3 to 15, a computerized Central Accounting Division and the opening of the first USO in Baumholder in 1980 and the USO Women’s Resource Center in 1982, to name just a few of his achievements. However, that was not his last career: He then decided to kick start a new occupation as a bank manager in Heidelberg, then Ramstein and Zweibruecken. His leadership there for the next 16 years also brought him a trail of love and respect for all who were fortunate to work with him. After retiring in 1999 he went back to USA where he lived with his second wife Linda Dian Stoskopf. Bill was an active member in the Springfield Golf and Country Club since 1974 and was a passionate golfer. He was also a classical music expert and could lecture about history for hours. A lot of his friends know his stories. He also was an active catholic visiting church every Sunday.

Bill is survived by his 2nd wife Linda Dian Stoskopf and his children Stephanie and Christina and their spouses as well as their children and grandchildren. Also, his sister in-law Grace is his longest relative and best friend.

Funeral services will be held at the Old Post Chapel with interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Visiting Angels, in particular to “his” angel Serawit Gebrikidan and the Hospice Team “Goodwin Senior Care”.