Bill Montgomery (activist) explained

Bill Montgomery
Birth Name:William Thomas Montgomery
Birth Date:29 May 1940
Birth Place:Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Occupation:Marketing businessman
Movement:Conservatism in the United States
Organizations:Turning Point USA
Known For:Mentor of Charlie Kirk

William Thomas Montgomery (May 29, 1940 – July 28, 2020) was an American businessman and conservative activist.[1] He co-founded the conservative political organization Turning Point USA with Charlie Kirk; Montgomery became Kirk's mentor and worked mostly behind the scenes in Turning Point's early years.

Early life

Montgomery was born on May 29, 1940, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and grew up in Peoria, Illinois. He served in the United States Air Force Reserve.[2]

Career and activism

Montgomery spent his working career in marketing.[3] After retiring, he founded Turning Point USA with Charlie Kirk in 2012. He served on Turning Point's board and as its secretary and treasurer until spring of 2019.[4] Montgomery met Kirk when the latter was 18, after hearing Kirk speak at a small college. Montgomery has been described as Kirk's mentor.

Death

He died of complications from COVID-19 in July 2020, at age 80.[5] After his death, Turning Point USA deleted a tweet that mocked wearers of protective masks.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Behind Turning Point USA's funding boom – with half of it coming from 10 anonymous donors . NBC News . 13 July 2022 . 11 February 2023 . en.
  2. News: Obituary: William Thomas Montgomery. Neptune Cremation Service . Neptune Society. July 28, 2020. December 2, 2021.
  3. Web site: Nelson . Rebecca . The 21-Year-Old Becoming a Major Player in Conservative Politics . The Atlantic . 25 July 2021 . en . 25 March 2015.
  4. Web site: Pearson . Jake . Spies . Mike . At This Trump-Favored Charity, Financial Reporting Is Questionable and Insiders Are Cashing In . ProPublica . 21 July 2020 . 8 July 2021 . en.
  5. Web site: Brest . Mike . Turning Point USA co-founder Bill Montgomery dies after contracting coronavirus . Colorado Politics . 30 July 2020 . 8 July 2021 . en.
  6. Web site: Porter . Tom . Pro-Trump youth group TPUSA deleted a tweet mocking protective masks after its cofounder died of the coronavirus . Business Insider . 8 July 2021.