Master Sergeant (Retired) William R. Costantino (D3983) died on 20Aug19 at age 78. He was the beloved husband of Marcia A. (Schultz) Costantino. Bill was born on 21May41. He came from a large Italian-American family of twelve children. Bill’s military career started when he enlisted in Battery B, 3rd Howitzer Battalion, Rhode Island Army National Guard in 1960. He served as a gunner until the opportunity was presented to transfer to the recently activated Company D, 16th Special Forces Group (Airborne) RIARNG in 1963. Bill quickly became jump qualified, SF Jumpmaster qualified, and SF qualified. He served as a Demo SGT (12B) and as an Ops/Intel SGT. During his 20 years of service in SF he was assigned to Co D, 19th SFGA; Co C, 5/20th SFGA; Co A, 2/19th SFGA and the Troop Command (Special Forces). He retired in 1984. Bill was elected President of Chapter XLVIII, Special Forces Association and served in that capacity from 1992 thru 1994. He also served as the Chapter’s Treasurer from 2014 thru 2017.
Bill earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Accounting from Johnson and Wales University. He was the Vice President and owner of the Columbus Door Company, a family business.
His wake and Mass of Christian Burial were attended by Chapter members. Military Honors were rendered at St. Veronica’s Chapel, Narragansett, Rhode Island.
He is buried in The Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, Rhode Island.
