Obituary of William Ralph Cordova

William R. Cordova Obituary for Adams-Greene Funeral Home Website

Colonel William “Bill” Raphael Cordova Jr., United States Army (Retired), Corps of Engineers, 93, of Fairfax, Virginia entered peacefully into eternal rest on November 25, 2018 with his family by his side. Col. Cordova was born on April 17, 1925 in Manhattan, New York as the oldest of three children to the late William Cordova Sr. and the late Venera Santalis. He spent his childhood years in New York City and Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

Upon earning a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Puerto Rico in 1945, Colonel Cordova was called to active duty as a Private from the Enlisted Reserves, United States Army. He attended Officer Candidate School, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1946, and accepted a regular commission in the Army to become a career officer. Colonel Cordova furthered his education while serving by attending New York University where he received a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, Ohio State University where he received a Master of Science in Geodetic Science,  and Purdue University where he completed Graduate studies in Civil Engineering. During his military career he served around the world in Japan, Korea, Germany, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio, and Washington, DC. He felt grateful for the opportunity to serve and considered himself amply rewarded with the duties and challenges that came his way as he assumed positions of increasing responsibility and rank. He considered his last assignment as director at the Defense Mapping Agency Topographic (TOPO) Center his most gratifying, calling the people at the TOPO Center superb individuals and talented professionals. Colonel Cordova retired from the military in 1977 and settled in Fairfax Station, Virginia with his family.

Colonel Cordova is preceded in death by his devoted wife of forty-five years and mother of his children, Lucile B. Cordova, of Waterloo, Iowa. He is survived by his loving wife of nineteen years, Mildred B. Cordova; a son, William “Bill” Cordova II (Phyllis); a son, Robert Cordova (Helen); a daughter, Candace Baxter (Robert Baxter); a son, Gary Cordova (Cindee); a son, Raymond Cordova (Maribeth); twelve wonderful grandchildren and five delightful great grandchildren; a sister, Carmen Colon; a brother, Jacob Cordova; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. His family misses him greatly and holds dear memories of his welcoming and generous nature, remarkable sense of humor, and brilliant mind.  

A joint funeral service to honor his life and the life of his wife, Mildred Cordova, will be held at Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel, 204 Lee Ave, Fort Myer, VA 22211 on March 27 at 10:30 a.m. immediately followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery. A reception will follow the service at Fort Myer Patton Hall Officers’ Club.  In lieu of customary remembrances, the family request with gratitude that memorial contributions in his memory be directed to the Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy., Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852, www.fisherhouse.org.