William Donald 'Don’ Old II was born on October 6, 1930 to Lieutenant
William D. Old and Couquiesee Addison (Green) Old of Kelly Field, TX. Don was
born at the Old Station Hospital at Fort Sam Houston in what later became the
psych unit, a fact he found amusing. The son of an Army Air Corps pilot, he decided
early on he wanted to be in the military. During World War II, Don lived in 
Abbott, TX with his mother and sister on his grandmother’s farm, where he and
the bull were the only males. He was a lifelong sports fan and played football at
Allen Military Academy in Bryan, TX, attending from 1942 to 1948. After graduation
he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He attended the USMA Prep School at 
Stewart AFB, NY as a prior service cadet candidate. In 1950, he received his appointment
from West Virginia Senator H. M. Kilgore to be a member of the Class of 1954.
   Don was a popular and respected member of D-1. He served as D-1 company
executive officer and was a cadet lieutenant his First Class year. He monogrammed
in football as a result of his B-squad efforts scrimmaging against the 
West Point varsity team, which was in the process of rebuilding under the efforts of
coaches Vince Lombardi and Red Blaik.
Don was a Golden Gloves boxer. Bob Goodwin, his roommate of three and 
half years, said, “He was a devoted and motivated cadet who exemplified in all
respects Duty, Honor, Country.”
   Don chose Infantry. He attended the Airborne School and the Ranger School.
He was assigned to the 39th Infantry Regiment in Furth, West Germany. It
was during this time he was introduced to his wife-to-be, Carole White, by the
wife of a D-1 classmate. They married in Austin, TX in 1958 and then returned to
Germany, where Don spent his last year serving as aide-de-camp to the division
commander. After Germany, he was assigned to Fort Benning, GA, where he attended
the Infantry advanced course. In 1959, their daughter, Laurita Couquiesee
‘Laurie’ Old, was born. The next assignment was assistant professor of military
science and tactics at Texas A&M University, where he earned an MBA.
Their son, William D. Old III, was born in 1961. During 1963–64, Don attended
the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. From 
December 1964 to December 1965, Don served in Vietnam as an advisor. A modest
man, Don never talked about his time in Vietnam but did relate a story about a
meeting in the Delta, during which he was served pieces of fried meat. Having
eaten several, he commented to his host that it was good and inquired as to what
it was. His host replied, “Very rare delicacy, fried caterpillar!” Upon return
from Vietnam, Don was assigned to the Office of the Army Chief of Staff. He returned
to Vietnam in 1968 to command the 8th Infantry Battalion. It was during
this tour he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Returning
from Vietnam in 1969, he was assigned to HQ CONARC (Continental Army
Command) at Fort Monroe, VA. Perhaps the most memorable assignment Don had
was when he served as commander of the Florida Ranger Camp (now known as
the Rudder Ranger Camp), 1971–74. It was a dream assignment for him, and he
loved every minute of it. He was instrumental in having the camp renamed in
honor of Major General James E. Rudder in June 1974. In 1974, Don was assigned
to the 1st Armored Division as deputy community commander in Ansbach,
West Germany.
   It was in Germany that Don learned to ski with his teenage children, and he
could always be seen on the slope in his bright orange jacket. Following Ansbach,
he served as senior advisor to the 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized),
California National Guard, 1977–80. His final duty station was with the 5th
Army staff at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Don was medically retired in the summer
of 1981. During his service, in addition to the Silver Star and Purple Heart,
Don was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.
   Don and Carole retired to Shavano Park, TX to a home they named “Ranger Oaks.” 

Don and Carole were active members of the Class of ’54’s San Antonio community, 

hosting the annual Army-Navy football game party for many years.
   Perhaps outside of his military career, Don’s most significant accomplishment
was his family. He was always supportive of his children and their pursuits.
Laurie is a nurse practitioner. She and her husband, Rick, lieutenant colonel
USAF (Retired), have three children: Evan, Amanda, and Meghan. 

When asked what he wished to be called when he became a grandfather Don replied, 

“Why ‘Sir’ of course.” He tried to back out of that name but was held to it. 

Son Bill is a district judge, and he and his wife, Sheila, also an attorney, 

have four children: Addison, Spencer, Ashley, and Clayton. 

Sir would be pleased to know Spencer will carry on the Infantry tradition
upon commissioning as a second lieutenant from Texas A&M University in 2017.
   Don died on April 7, 2015 at his home in Shavano Park, TX. In addition to
his wife, children, and grandchildren, Don is survived by his sister, Sally C.
Houdayer, and her husband, Paul. He was interred at the National Cemetery at
Fort Sam Houston.
   On his headstone is the motto “Rangers Lead the Way,” and he truly
did, lead the way.