William Danielson Obituary

DANIELSON, Jr., William COLUMBIA - Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3700 Devine Street, Columbia. Following the service, the family will receive friends at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1623 Marion Street. Visitation for friends will be held Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at DUNBAR FUNERAL HOME, DEVINE STREET CHAPEL. William J. (Bill) Danielson was born April 17, 1926, to William J. Danielson, Sr., and Hyacinth Benhardt Danielson in Union City, New Jersey, and passed to the hands of our Lord on December 22, 2007. He was 81 years old. Bill Danielson graduated from the Christian Brothers High School on June 6, 1944. He was a member of Boy Scouts of America. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army. Following basic training in Georgia and Florida, he was sent to England and then to France and saw action 1944-45 with the 103rd Infantry Division as Corporal of a 3 man machine gun Squad. He won the coveted Bronze Star for Bravery under Fire. He remained in Europe after World War II, included as part of the occupation forces in Germany, Austria, and Italy and was discharged in the summer of 1946. He returned home to New Jersey and worked as an automobile mechanic before being accepted to the prestigious Columbia College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, where he graduated with a B.S. Business Administration in 1951. Upon graduation he entered federal service with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent. He worked various assignments as a G-Man throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, including: New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, Charleston, S.C., culminating with his last assignment in Columbia, S.C. and Orangeburg, S.C. as the Resident Agent. His accomplishments were legendary; he had a well earned reputation as a superb leader and mentor for his fellow FBI agents throughout his career. He retired in December 1980 with 30 years of faithful and distinguished service. In addition, he was active in the Columbia area retired FBI agents association and headed this organization for many years. Bill Danielson gave back to the community and was a driving force in numerous charitable organizations most notably the Elks and he was a life long member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of American Legion Post 6 and VFW Post #3137 in Isle of Palms. In the latter capacity, he headed up and implemented the yearly Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and celebrations at Christopher Towers senior housing in Columbia, S.C. He was also on the board of directors of Christopher Towers. A loving husband and father, Mr. Danielson is survived by his wife, Patricia J. Danielson, his sister, Patricia D. Hayes, Orangeburg, New York, his five children and nine grand children; Lt. Col (USAF Ret.) William G. Danielson, now DoD auditor for DCMA, Columbia, SC, his wife Penny and his sons, Jason and Scott, Mrs. Kathleen D. Mitchell, husband Jimmy, Mitchell Builders, Columbia, SC., and sons Clay, Alex, Cruise and the apple of his eye, his only granddaughter Amanda; Col (USAF ret.) James T. Danielson, now COO of Aging Aircraft Consulting, Warner Robins, GA wife Rise' and sons Chris and Andrew; Colonel Thomas Danielson, USAFR, B-F Corp., Alpharetta, GA and son Jabe; his baby girl Mary Lynn Danielson Holgate, husband, Dr. Richard C. Holgate, DISC Radiologists, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; Pat's sons J. Michael Jernigan, Daniel Island, SC, wife Lesa and son James; Richard Jernigan, Statesboro, GA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, 11578 Sorrento Valley Rd., Suite 30, San Diego, CA 92121 or www.FREEDOMIS NOTFREE.com. Please sign online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.