Harold Joseph Conway – Colonel, United States Army

From a contemporary press report:

Harold Joseph Conway, 100, an Army colonel who retired in 1954 as chairman of the Armed Services Explosives Safety Board, died of a heart ailment April 16, 2001, at the Powhatan Nursing Home in Falls Church. He was a longtime resident of McLean, Virginia.

Colonel Conway was a native of Port Townsend, Washington, and a 1921 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He began his 33-year Army career in the coast artillery. He served in Peru in the mid-1920s and then transferred to the Ordnance Corps.

He was chief of staff of the Ordnance Training Center during World War II. He commanded the Alaska General Depot after the war.

After retiring from active duty, he was a defense industry consultant and received a master's degree in Latin American studies from Georgetown University.

His honors included a Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.

He was a member of the West Point Society and St. John's Catholic Church in McLean.

His first wife, Nathalie Halda, died in 1962 after 35 years of marriage.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Margarita Harris Willingham Conway of McLean; two stepsons, retired Navy Cmdr. David G. Willingham of Springfield and Dr. Lawrence Willingham of Alexandria; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.


CONWAY, HAROLD J., COL. USA (Ret.)

On Monday, April 16, 2001 formerly of McLean, VA. Beloved husband of Margarita H. Conway. He is survived by his nephew, Shebley Conway, of Santa Monica, CA and Mrs. Conway's two sons, David (Kathleen) Willingham, of Springfield, VA and Lawrence Willingham, of Mount Vernon, VA as well as four step-grandchildren and three step great- grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday May 15, 10:45 a.m. at the Fort Myer Chapel. Interment Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to The West Point Society of D.C., 8527 Minerva Court, Vienna, VA 22812.

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