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William Elder born November 1920 to Rev. and Mrs. E.M. Elder in Damascus, GA and passed away Sunday, December 20, 2009. He always said he was one of the three sons of Bonnie Elder. Jack is deceased and Wilbur survives. He graduated from Young Harris College in northern Georgia in 1940. Soon after, 1943, he was a Quartermaster aboard the USS Hopewell (DD681) which received nine battle stars. His ship sailed into Tokyo Harbor with Halsey's fleet for the signing of the surrender. While at the University of Wyoming in 1951 he met and married Benji Elder an RN at Ivenson Memorial Hospital. Soon they were on the road where Bill was a topographer with U.S.G.S. One of his favorite assignments was in Antarctica in 1961-62, where he and two other engineers ran 1500 miles of traverse from McMurdo to the South Pole and back. He was honored to have Elder Peak and Elder Glacier named for him. He is survived by his wife, Benji; daughter, Dixie Elder Johnson and husband, Peter; son, Captain Bob Elder, USN and wife, Jamye; three granddaughters; and three grandsons. William was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen. Memorial Services will be held Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 11:00 a.m., at Sandia Presbyterian Church, 10704 Paseo del Norte NE. French 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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