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Lt. Col. William "Bill" Gene Isom, Ret

Fort Washington, MD

February 4, 1938 - March 29, 2021

Feb 4, 1938 - Mar 29, 2021

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William (Bill) Gene Isom was born on February 4, 1938, in (Fairfax) Valley, AL. He passed away on the evening of March 29, 2021, in the Fort Washington, MD, home he shared with his wife, Virginia, for 46 years.

William was the eldest son of Phillip Isom Junior and Mary Lee (Reid) Isom. He accepted Christ at an early age at the Rehoboth Baptist Church in Valley, AL. He graduated from Lanier High School where he had many notable achievements. He was valedictorian of his high school class as well as a member of the varsity football, basketball, and baseball teams, school chorus and drama club.

He received a Bachelors’ degree from Tuskegee Institute, where he met his wife of 60 years, Virginia (Veazey) Isom. At Tuskegee, he was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He remained active in the Sigmas until his senior years of declining health. He continued his education, earning Masters’ degrees at Fisk University, Fitchburg State, Syracuse University, and the National War College, where he was later a professor.

He chose a career as an Army officer, accepting a commission as a Second Lieutenant after completing ROTC at Tuskegee. He ultimately achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His Army assignments took him to every continent except Antarctica. His assignment in the Panama Canal Zone also took him to South America. He served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War at great personal risk. He travelled for work throughout Africa, and to Australia as well. Stateside, his work often took him to briefings at the White House. He finished his military career as a professor at the National War College.

After retiring, he became an executive at defense contractor Interlog Inc. He was also a founding member and treasurer of the Association of Maryland Africa Societies, a non-profit dedicated to advocacy for strong relations between the US and Africa. He also served in the Kellogg Foundation, evaluating the programs and participants for foundation grants.

He loved watching football, college and pro. He waited patiently for the Washington Redskins to regain their former glory. He loved a good spy novel, and the BBC’s Masterpiece Theater. He enjoyed caramel cake on his birthday, and he barbecued the baddest ribs in the neighborhood. When he was in a good mood, he could belt out some gospel or old school soul with a booming voice that scarcely diminished even in his senior years.

Above all else, he was a loving husband father and grandfather. He and his wife, Virginia, were married over sixty years. He spent thousands of hours watching his children play sports, make music, and receive awards. He was the first to praise them to friends and strangers, and the first to run to their side in times of trouble. He was also devoted to his parents, and supportive of his siblings. He would always make time whenever he could to encourage his siblings and niece and nephews in their pursuits in life.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia, and their children, William Gary, Marleah, and James. He is survived as well by his grandchildren, Dwayne, James II, and Edward. He is also survived by his younger siblings, Phillip Isom III (Collie, dec.), Sanford Isom (Charlene), Elizabeth Isom Bryant (Harold), nine nephews and one niece, several grand nieces, and cousins; as well as friends and colleagues who loved and respected him.

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