NO. 17645 •
Died 6 August 1978 at home in Bigfork, Montana, aged 52 years. Cremation
1 July 1946
Appointed to the United States Military Academy from California
2 June 1950
Graduation: Second Lieutenant, United States Air Force
17 June 1950
Marriage to Shirley G. Olson, Kalispell, Montana
7 August 1950
3565th Training Squadron, James Connally Air Force Base, Texas
14 February 1951
3525th Pilot Training Wing, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
23 April 1951
Son, Kenneth Irving, born
31 August 1951
196th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Chitose Air Base, Japan
11 February 1952
Promoted to first lieutenant
6 July 1952
Son, Stephen Gene, born
10 July 1952
430th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Korea
16 January 1953
3510th Tactical Fighter Wing, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
25 July 1954
3600th Maintenance and Service Group, Luke Air Force Base, Texas
3 November 1955
Promoted to captain
15 August 1956
67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa
3 December 1956
Son, Phillip Alan, born
9 January 1959
354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina
23 March 1959
Son, James Henry, born
15 June 1960
Air Officer Commanding, 9th Squadron, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
15 July 1962
Promoted to Major
29 September 1962
Daughter, Sandra Claire, born
23 August 1903
Marine Corps Senior School, Quantico, Virginia
1 July 1964
613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England Air Force Base, Louisiana
12 June 1966
Air Liaison Officer, 11th Infantry Brigade, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 604th Direct Air Support Center, Wheeler Air Force Base, Hawaii
21 November 1966
Promoted to lieutenant colonel
16 July 1969
Professor of Air Science, Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps Detacbment 850, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
June 1971
Promoted to colonel
7 August 1972
Kelly Air Force Base,Texas
31 May 1974
Retired as Base Commander, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas
6 August 1978
Died of cancer
His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star.
There are no words to adequately describe the void left in Bill's world by his untimely death. West Point, a loyal alumnus; the Air Force, a staunch supporter; his students at Strand Aviation; Bethany Lutheran Church council; Bigfork Lions Club; Bigfork High School Board; the daily ritual of flying the flag; and, most of all, his honored position as son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
My existence has been richly blessed by sharing the life of this quiet, dedicated and affectionate man who has now joined the Long Gray Line.
- His wife