William Robertson Obituary

William Dixon Robertson, Jr. COLUMBIA, SC - William Dixon Robertson, Jr., 87, died Friday, January 17, 2014, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held eleven o'clock in the morning, Wednesday, January 22, at Washington Street United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends from five until seven Tuesday afternoon, January 21, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Admiral Robertson was born in Lexington, North Carolina, on August 27, 1926, to the late William D. and Mary Norman Hargrave Robertson. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve on December 11, 1943, and under the V-12 Program attended the University of South Carolina at Columbia. He entered the United States Naval Academy on appointment from his native state in 1944. He graduated with the class of 1948 on June 6, 1947, and was commissioned Ensign. His selection for the rank of Rear Admiral was approved by the President on January 30, 1974. Admiral Robertson was a proud destroyer officer. He served in USS VESOLE (DDR-878); USS MULLANEY (DD-528); and USS WEEKS (DD-701). He was Executive Officer under Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt's command of USS DEWEY (DLG-14). He attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Washington, DC, in Intelligence and Russian Language; and served as Assistant Naval Attache; at the American Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia; operations officer to Destroyer Squadron THIRTY; instructor for the Naval ROTC Unit at the University of South Carolina; Head of Maritime Intelligence Branch, Office of Naval Intelligence; and Head of the Strategic Warfare Group, Systems Analysis Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-96). He was commanding officer of USS WATTS (DD-567); USS RAMSEY (DEG-2); and USS WAINWRIGHT (DLG-28). From August 1974 until his retirement in June 1979, he served as deputy, then Vice Director, Defense Intelligence Agency. Admiral Robertson attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and received a Master of Science in Administration from the George Washington University, Washington, DC. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with Combat "V" for "meritorious service during combat operations against the enemy" during the Viet Nam War; the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Service Commendation Medal. He also wore the American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. Admiral Robertson was active in his church and with his children's activities wherever his family was stationed. Upon returning to Columbia, he immediately became involved with Washington Street United Methodist Church. He served as Chair of the church's Foundation and he and his wife worked with Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the Columbia chapter of the US Naval Academy Alumni Association; the Saint Andrews Society of the City of Columbia; Forest Lake Club; the Quadrille Club; and a former member of the Caprician Club. Admiral Robertson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances Tuttle "Tut" Robertson, of Columbia; son, William Dixon Robertson III (Allison), of Columbia; daughter, Frances Robertson Butler (Barre), of Charleston; sister, Sassy Shull, of Columbia; grandchildren, Frances Lee Butler Bressan (John) of Charleston; William Barre McLeod Butler of Columbia; and Allison Bethea Robertson of Columbia; three wonderful nieces; and a grand-niece and many grand-nephews and cousins whom he cherished. Memorials may be made to Washington Street United Methodist Church Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, or a charity of your choice. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston