William E "Mr. Bill" Armstrong

William Edward "Mr. Bill" Armstrong , 87 of Denmark passed away Monday, January 13, 2014 after a long illness.

A Remembering of "Mr. Bill's life will be held 4:00 PM Friday, January 17, 2014 Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Orangeburg with Rev. Jim Parnell officiating. "Mr. Bill" was born May 21, 1926 in San Francisco, CA; the son of the late Edward Armstrong and the late Margaret Salmon Armstrong. He attended elementary school in San Francisco and graduated from St. Ignatius High School. He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. Upon returning to civilian life, he attended San Francisco Junior College then Stanford University where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He taught for decades in San Francisco's public schools before retiring to South Carolina where he continued his teaching career for years as a tutor at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College. A former student who had become a medical doctor visited him years later to thank him for his instruction and guidance. She told her favorite teacher "Mr. Bill" that she would provide him free medical care for the rest of his life. This is an example of the devotion he inspired among his students. He derived tremendous satisfaction from teaching and was an exceptionally talented instructor. He was more interested in family, friends, colleagues and students than anything material. Not surprisingly, he attracted warm and wonderful friends who he loved. His family is indebted to those closest to him who expressed their kindness and care toward the end of his life. Special appreciation is due Herman Smith, James and Margaret Irons, David Pugh and the Boyd family.

SURVIVORS include his devoted wife; Babette Armstrong of Denmark and his brother, Bud (Caryl) Armstrong of California; his nieces, Teresa Armstrong, Linda Armstrong and his nephew, John Armstrong.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS MEMORIALS MAY BE MADE TO the H.F. Mabry Center for Cancer Care; 1161 Cook Road, Orangeburg, SC 29118.