William E. Manning, 77, a retired Army colonel who specialized in manpower and reserve affairs, died of malignant melanoma August 28, 2000 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia.

On his military retirement, Colonel Manning served 20 years as a civilian employee of the Defense Department, retiring in 1991 as deputy assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs.

He was born in Portland, Maine, and graduated from Holy Cross College. He began his Army career during World War II.

He served in Korea during the Korean War, taught military history at the ROTC unit at the University of New Hampshire, served in Alaska and attended the Command and General Staff College in Kansas. From 1961 until his Army retirement in
1971, he served at the Pentagon.

Colonel Manning was a eucharistic minister, lector and song leader with the Catholic community at Fort Belvoir. He was a volunteer at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital and was a member of the Retired Officers Association and the American
Association of Retired Persons.

His avocations included square and round dancing, and he was a member of local dance clubs.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Irene J. Jorgensen Manning of Alexandria; three children, William E. Manning III of Dumphries, Kerry M. Manning of Alexandria and Michele M. Saunders of Orlando; and five grandchildren.

A son, Kevin J. Manning, died in 1977.

On August 28, 2000, of Alexandria, VA, beloved husband of Irene J. Manning; devoted father of William E. Manning, III, Kerry M. Manning, Michele M. Saunders and the late Kevin J. Manning; loving brother of Phyllis Price and Jeanne Zephir. Also survived by five grandchildren. Visitation, Mt. Vernon Chapel, Ft. Belvoir, VA, Wednesday, September 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial, Thursday, September 7, 1 p.m. at Belvoir Chapel, Ft. Belvoir. Interment, 3 p.m., Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hospice of Northern Virginia, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22042.