William Francis Degan, Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

William Francis Degan, Jr. was born on 21 June 1950 in Quincy, MA.

Degan graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1972 with a degree in Zoology. After his death, the William F. Degan, Jr. Endowed Football Scholarship Fund was instituted at the University.

He served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1972 to 1975 and remained in the reserve after his active duty term. His unit, based at the Weymouth Naval Air Station, was activated for Operation Desert Storm. Degan attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1978, Mr. Degan entered the U.S. Marshals' Service. Marshal Degan was shot and killed in Idaho while conducting surveillance on Federal fugitive and white supremacist, Randy Weaver. A friend of the fugitive was charged with Degan's murder but was later acquitted.

Death and Burial

William Francis Degan, Jr. was killed in the line of duty with the U.S. Marshals' Service on 21 August 1992, in Boundary County, ID. He is buried at Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree, MA.

Marshal Degan was survived by his wife and two sons.

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