More detail on this person: William "Bill" Paul
Heisler, 66, lost his courageous battle with
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as
Lou Gehrig's disease, on Sunday, January 4, 2015.
Bill, the youngest of four children, was born on
December 6, 1948, to Walter and Sarah (Harker)
Heisler in Spokane, Washington.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his
sister Sally Eufers. He is survived by his loving
wife of 33 years Dolores "Lori" Beck Heisler,
sister Belleene Torrance (Dave), sister Charlene
Lammers (Fred), a multitude of nieces and
nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, and
several great great nieces and nephews. The
Heisler and Beck families will remember Bill for
his exceptional kind, considerate, and affable
nature and most especially for his remarkable
sense of humor.
Bill graduated with Honors from Spokane's Rogers
High School in 1967 where he was a member of
several academic organizations and excelled in
both varsity football and basketball. He attended
Eastern Washington State College before enlisting
in the U. S. Army in July 1968 as a helicopter
crew chief. At the age of 20, Spec. 4 William P.
Heisler received an appointment for Officers
Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. In
1969, he was commissioned an infantry second
lieutenant in the U. S. Army after graduation from
OCS as a member of the Commandant's list. Bill
was a proud Veteran of the Vietnam War. As a
helicopter pilot he flew dignitaries throughout
the Vietnam War zone. He also served at Fort
Hood, Texas and Fort Ord, California. At Fort Ord,
he achieved the rank of Captain and commanded
Company A, 2nd Battalion, 51st Infantry, 7th
Infantry Division and earned the Meritorious
Service Medal for his efficiency and perseverance
in improving logistical preparations at the
Battalion. In civilian life, he was a driver for
United Postal Service and later for Federal
Express. Bill loved all sports, was a successful
gardener and beekeeper, and enjoyed traveling in
his recreational vehicle throughout the U.S.
A celebration of life service will be held at
Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281,
Marble Falls, TX 78654 at 11:00am on Saturday
January 10, 2015. The family extends gratitude to
New Century Hospice, the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and the ALS Organization for their
support and comfort throughout Bill's struggle
with this debilitating and fatal disease. The
family requests that, in lieu of flowers,
memorials be made to the ALS Association
(www.alsa.org/donate/) or Wounded Warrior Project
(www.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate).
Condolences may be offered to
www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com
Arrangements made by Clements-Wilcox Funeral
Home Marble Falls, Texas
Published in Austin American-Statesman from Jan.
8 to Jan. 9, 2015
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 07/12/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association