An emotional goodbye for a man who spent his entire life serving his country and his community.
Family and friends gathered inside St. Albans Episcopal church to pay their final respects Bill Card Jr.
Colonel Card came to Harlingen in 1968 after retiring from a 28 year career in the Marine Corps.
Card then became Commander of the Marine Military Academy.
Card was also one of Harlingen's longest-serving mayors in office from 1987 to 1998.
At home Card's family says he was simply known as papa, the person who held the family together.
Card's son Bill Card III says, "Our father was the leader of our family he was an inspirational to us as anyone who ever touched our lives."
And the lives he touched were many including Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., Lucio calling Card a dear friend.
Senator Lucio says, "He chose to be involved he defined the word leadership in his life no matter what he did."
As Card's legacy continues to live on those who he's touched say, Card will never be forgotten.
Card was also part of the Valley International Airport board of directors.
He also helped bring major corporations to Harlingen including Fruit of the Loom and General Dynamics.
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