Bill Montgomery (activist)
Bill Montgomery | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Thomas Montgomery May 29, 1940 Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | July 28, 2020 (aged 80) |
| Occupations |
|
| Organizations | Turning Point USA |
| Known for | Charlie Kirk's mentor and co-founder of Turning Point USA |
| Movement | Conservatism |
William Thomas Montgomery (May 29, 1940 – July 28, 2020) was an American businessman and conservative political activist.[1] In 2012, he cofounded the conservative political organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) alongside Charlie Kirk; Montgomery became Kirk's mentor and worked behind the scenes during the organization's early formation. He died due to 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.[2]
Career and activism
Throughout his career, Montgomery worked as a business consultant, marketer, publisher, and restaurateur.[3] 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 Benedictine University, at which Montgomery enocouraged Kirk to pursue conservative activism.[4] 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.[5][4]
Personal life and death
Montgomery was married to Edie Montgomery, with whom he had a son and daughter.[3] He died on July 28, 2020, aged age 80, due to complications from COVID-19.[6] 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.[3]
Shortly after Montgomery's death from the coronavirus, Turning Point USA deleted a tweet mocking protective masks.[7]
References
- ^ "Behind Turning Point USA's funding boom – with half of it coming from 10 anonymous donors". NBC News. July 13, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ "Obituary: William Thomas Montgomery". Neptune Cremation Service. Neptune Society. July 28, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Turning Point USA co-founder dies of coronavirus-related complications". POLITICO. July 29, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
- ^ a b Pearson, Jake; Spies, Mike (July 21, 2020). "At This Trump-Favored Charity, Financial Reporting Is Questionable and Insiders Are Cashing In". ProPublica. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
- ^ Cortellessa, Eric (September 10, 2025). "The Killing of Charlie Kirk and the Political Violence Haunting America". Time. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ Brest, Mike (July 30, 2020). "Turning Point USA co-founder Bill Montgomery dies after contracting coronavirus". Colorado Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
- ^ Porter, Tom (July 30, 2020). "Pro-Trump youth group TPUSA deleted a tweet mocking protective masks after its cofounder died of the coronavirus". Business Insider.