More detail on this person: Bill was born on July 22, 1947 in Phoenix Arizona. He grew up in several locations, graduating from Estherville Iowa High School: Class of 1965. On 2/23/66 Bill joined the US Army in the Warrant Officer flight training program. He graduated with class 66-23/67-1. Due to the Army's strange ways, Bill and a small select group of pilots were assigned to similar locations from Basic Training, flight school, then forming C Troop 7/17 CAV, then a nice boat cruise to RVN, forming up F/8 "Blueghost" and even returning stateside as instructor pilots. This resulted in a Band of Brothers that only death can change. After leaving active duty, Bill worked as a commercial pilot and later became involved in the mining industry. He retired from the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration as an accident investigator, safety and health inspector and as a field office supervisor in 2010. While in the service Bill married Linda Sapp to whom their son (Jerome) was born. Later, Bill met and married Susan (Hague) Owen and to them a daughter (Rachael) was born. Anyone who knows Bill knows that there are two words he can't stand_and they are; CAN' T and REQUIRED. This at times has been a challenge to those who use these terms, but he always believed that was their problem not his. This resulted in several awards, (i.e.) the Good Conduct Medal, a letter of reprimand, 25+ Air Medals and a DFC. Bill completed his last earthly mission on 11/11/2016 at his home in Gilmore City, Iowa, surrounded by friends and family. He was interned at the Veterans memorial cemetery in Van Meter Iowa on 11/18/16. Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Bill's name. He WILL be missed by all, especially his "BROTHER's".
This information was last updated 11/16/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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