William Thomas Cummings - Obituary

The beloved husband of the late Jean Ann Cummings; former husband of Sue Carol Cummings; father of Donna Sue Geddes, Deborah Carol Chee, Robert Edward Cummings, Charlotte Lea Fackler all of Meade County, KY and the late William Thomas Cummings II; brother of Joyce McIninch of West Nellysford, VA. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward J. Cummings III and Roy M. Cummings, both of Maryland, and his parents. He is the grandfather of Jason M., Nick D., and Chris A. Smithson, Shelby N. Snider and Gracie L. Fackler, William T. Cummings III and Kayla R. Cummings. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, and many friends. Bill always believed he had a very blessed and fulfilling life. Bill loved history, geography and his friends. Bill was a proud member of VFW Post 8810 in Waldorf, MD, a life member of American Legion Post 227 in Brandywine, MD, and a Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge 126 in Clinton, MD and a member of AmVets Post 13 in Waldorf, MD. It is said that Americanism is an unfailing love of country; loyalty to its institutions and ideals; eagerness to defend it against all enemies; undivided allegiance to the flag and a desire to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and posterity. William Thomas Cummings embodied the spirit of Americanism. A true patriot: as a young man of seventeen he enlisted in the US Army in 1952 and served his country for the next four years spending much of his duty on the front lines of the Korean War; as a man he spent the greater part of his life in service to other veterans and their families through his work in the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other service organizations. Bill embodied what it means to be an American; 2nd generation Irish from Quincy, Mass, his father’s parents had immigrated to the US in the late nineteenth century; his mother’s people hailed back to the 1600’s settling in the New England colonies, prior to the founding of this nation. In tribute, his family have placed four medallions on his casket to acknowledge that which he held in highest regard: his oft stated privilege to serve his country in combat, the US Army medallion; for his leadership, service and patriotism, the American Legion emblem; the Eagle and Flag emblem, both symbols of our great Nation; and the ‘In God’s Care’ medallion for his love of and belief in, his savior, Jesus Christ. President Teddy Roosevelt, a man who embodied the ideals of Americanism, said, “We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage.” William “Bill” Thomas Cummings did his best to live by these ideals through his service to his country and to his fellow man. A Military Honors service will be held in the Chapel at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 11 am. American Legion Post 227, Brandywine, MD will hold a Repast in his honor from 4 PM to 7 PM that evening. In Lieu of Flowers, Please consider a Donation in his Memory to the Washington DC Medical Center Fisher House, 50 Irving Street, Washington, DC. The Fisher House is a non-profit Foundation serving Military and Veteran Families. www.fisherhouse.org Checks made be sent directly to them made out to: DC VA MC Fisher House.