"Help us thy Motto bear through all the years, Let Duty be well performed, Honor be e're untarned, Country be ever armed, West Point by thee." AIKEN, SC -Lieutenant Colonel William Carl Edler, US Army (Ret.), passed away on August 18th, 2016 at the age of 89. Bill was born May 20, 1927 in Plymouth, WI. The same day Charles Lindbergh (attempted) to make his Trans-Atlantic flight. Bill always laughed about Lindbergh's article as a small blurb on the back page of the Milwaukee Press as Bill's birth announcement was larger. Bill graduated from St. John's Military Academy and was drafted into WWII. He received his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1951. He married Lillian Rediske on the day of graduation. Bill's military career spanned over 35 years which included WWII, Korea, Vietnam and jobs with other government agencies. After the passing of his first wife in 1991, Bill met and married Ann Taylor in 1993 who along with his sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Richard Baumann, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews survive him today. A church service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on September 14, 2016 at 11:00 AM. The Reverend Gary Williams will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Bill's wish was in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 902 Hitchcock Dr., SW, Aiken, SC 29803 or the Albrecht SPCA, 199 Willow Run Rd., Aiken, SC 29801. "And the last man feels to his marrow the grip of your far-off hold. Grip hands with us now though we see the not, grip hands with us, strengthen our hearts as the long line stiffens and straighten with the thrill that your presence imprints, Grip hands though it be from the shadows--- While we swear , as you did of yore, of living; or dying, to honor the Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps." The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.