Bill Jamison disappeared on March 26-27, 1981. Bill, a white male, was 5’9” tall, approximately 220 lbs., dark brown hair, green eyes, and was 34 years old at the time of his disappearance. He would be 77 years old now. He was last seen in the Chez Lounge and St. George Diner in Linden, NJ. He lived in the Colfax Manor Apartments in Roselle Park, New Jersey and worked for Haug Die Casting Co. in Kenilworth, New Jersey. He also owned property and resided in Strathmere, New Jersey. Also missing is his company car – a 1981 Ford LTD Station Wagon, midnight blue, NJ Plates # 861-PKY.
Bill was one of the ten (10) children of the late Lawrence W. Jamison and the late Margaret E. (Tague) Jamison. He was born and raised in Glenside, PA., a suburb of Philadelphia, and often summered in Sea Isle City and Strathmere, NJ. Bill’s family is comprised of his nine (9) brothers and sisters: Lon (RI), Chuck (CA), Jack (NJ), Frank (CA), Katie Sullivan (PA), Jim (PA), Patty McNamara (PA), Mike (PA) and Jerry (NJ), twenty seven (27) nieces and nephews and seven (7) grand nieces and nephews (as of 2004).
ST LUKE’S SCHOOL: Bill attended St. Luke’s School, Fairhill Avenue, Glenside, PA (suburb of Philadelphia) for eight (8) years, graduating in 1961. Upon graduation he was awarded The American Legion Medal for Courage, Leadership and Effort.
BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL: Bill attended Bishop McDevitt High School, Royal Avenue, Wyncote, PA (suburb of Philadelphia) for four (4) years graduating in 1965. He ran and lettered in Track and Cross Country. His coach was the late Jim Gibbons.
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY: Bill attended Temple University, Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA for four (4) years graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. He ran and lettered in Track and Cross Country. His coach was the renowned Jack Saint Clair. Throughout his time at Temple he was a member of the US Army ROTC, and upon graduation was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. During this time he took flying lessons and earned his pilot’s license on fixed wing aircraft.
Bill was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army after completing all ROTC requirements successfully, and graduating from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA in 1969. He entered active military service on July 5, 1969. After completion of Officer Basic Training courses, he successfully completed 18 weeks training in the USA Primary Helicopter School, 16 weeks training in the Officer Rotary Wing Aircraft Course USA Aviation School, and the Officer Rotary Wing Aircraft Course (Counter-Insurgency).
From July 24, 1970 through July 22, 1971 Bill served in Vietnam with Company A, 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the First Cavalry. His unit was known as “Chickenman” and his call sign was “Buddha Belly”. For his service to his country and its people – even those who viciously protested the war and vilified our military men and women – he received the following awards:
Bill received four of the top nine medals awarded by the U.S. Army.
Bill completed his active military service at Fort Benning, GA, and was discharged from active duty on March 7, 1972 with the rank of Captain. Five (5) Jamison brothers served in the US Army continuously from 1964 through 1972.
After leaving the military Bill went to work for a Hospital Management firm in Rosemont, PA and was subsequently transferred by them to their hospital in Margate, FL, where he was the Financial Manager. In the late 1970’s he joined Haug Die Casting Co., Kenilworth, NJ as a salesman and was later promoted to Vice President of Production. He was employed at Haug at the time of his disappearance in 1981.