William Montgomery Jr.

William James Montgomery, Jr.

Retired United States Secret Service Agent of 29 years, died on August 29, 2018 at

Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio. “Bill”/“Monty,” was one of the first 10 African

American agents. He began his career as a Special Agent in 1970 and retired as

Resident Agent in Charge in 1999. During his tenure, Bill was Assistant Agent in Charge

and Attache’ to the American Embassy in Rome, Italy, Resident Agent in Charge and

Attache’ to The American Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus. He opened the first United

States Secret Service office in Cyprus - where he was instrumental in eliminating the

“Super Note.” Bill was the first African-American agent to be assigned to Europe. His

territory spanned Europe, The Middle East, and Africa. He had numerous assignments

in Washington D.C., Boston, Los Angeles, New York and retired from the Columbus,

Ohio field office. He attended The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the

United States Secret Service Academy. As a supervisory agent, his mission was the

suppression of counterfeit U.S. currency, securities, fraud. He held protective

responsibilities for every President and their families from Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton.

Per the request of the State Department, he protected Secretary of State Henry

Kissinger in his global travels. He also protected Pope John Paul II, and many foreign

dignitaries. Bill was a proud member of Black Agents of the Secret Service (B.A.S.S.)

and the National Organization of Blacks in Law Enforcement (N.O.B.L.E.). Through

United States Secret Service jurisdiction, Bill worked in concert with the Department of

State, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Columbus Police

Department, F.B.I, D.E.A, U.S Customs and I.N.S. Before becoming an agent, Bill

studied to be a Josephite priest for 13 years at Epiphany Apostolic College in Newburgh

N.Y., and at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Washington D.C., where he earned a Bachelor of

Arts in Philosophy, leaving 2 years from ordination. He then achieved a fellowship at

Howard University earning a Master’s of Arts in Education. Born in Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania on 10/4/1941, he is predeceased by his parents, William J. Montgomery

Sr. and Gladys (Maddox), and sister, Margaret Montgomery Mitchell (Barry). He is

survived by his wife, Margaret, beloved family: children, William J. Montgomery III, and

Alicia R. Montgomery, sisters, Rosalie T. Potter and Nancy M. Savage (Eric),

grandchildren, Kierra, Kaleigh, Kendall, and William “Liam” Montgomery, Carlyle and

Chaz Franklin, and Caleb Crawley, stepdaughters, Cybyl J. Franklin and Lisa M.

Franklin (Michael D. Crawley), nieces, nephews and very special friends all over the

world. In respect to Bill’s humble wishes, no services were held. A special thanks to

Shaw-Davis Funeral Home.