Bill Montgomery (activist)
William Thomas Montgomery was an American businessman and conservative activist. He co-founded the conservative political organization Turning Point USA with Charlie Kirk; Montgomery became Kirk's mentor and worked behind the scenes during the organization's early formation. He died of complications from COVID-19.
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.Career and activism
Montgomery spent his working career in marketing. After retiring, he founded Turning Point USA with Charlie Kirk in 2012. He was on Turning Point's board and its secretary and treasurer until spring 2019. Montgomery met Kirk when the latter was 18, after hearing Kirk speak at a small college. Montgomery has been described as Kirk's mentor, including by advising him to start Turning Point USA rather than attend college. Montgomery also provided the initial funding for the group.Death
He died of complications from COVID-19 on July 28, 2020, at age 80. Charlie Kirk called him a "dear friend" whose contributions shaped a generation of conservative activists. Turning Point USA honored Montgomery as an "iconic" figure whose "steadfast devotion" built the organization.Shortly after his death from the coronavirus, Turning Point USA deleted a tweet mocking protective masks.