Retired Lieutenant Colonel William Allen Behrens (Age 69)  
A 28-year Army veteran, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2017, surrounded by family and friends after a valiant battle with illness, in the comfort of his home in Ashburn, Virginia.  Bill was born in Greenville, South Carolina, the son of the late John W. Behrens, Jr. and the late Joyce (Lindley) Behrens. He attended Greenville, SC public schools and graduated from Greenville Senior High School in 1965. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Clemson University and a Master of Arts degree from Mississippi State University in history. He later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Strayer University in Washington, DC.  Bill was an Infantry and Special Forces officer with service from 1969-1997. He served in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East and commanded a Special Forces Operational Detachment (A-Team) and Infantry and Special Forces Companies. His senior Special Forces staff assignments culminated as Chief of Special Forces Proponency for the US Army. He additionally became a highly qualified Foreign Area Specialist serving in multiple critical Defense Attaché positions as: Defense Attaché in Sana'a, Yemen (88-90), Army Attaché in Djibouti (89-90), and the Defense Attaché in Beirut, Lebanon (93-95).  His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab. His is survived by his wife Nina Behrens; daughter Joyce Behrens; and son Karl Behrens--all of Ashburn, VA; and brother Bruce W. Behrens of Piedmont, South Carolina. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life with family and friends will be held at a later date with funeral services and full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Special Forces Association Chapter XI, PO Box 1328, Spingfield, vA 22151.