More detail on this person: Col. William Edward
"Bill" Takacs passed away Oct. 16, 2007.
Bill was born on Sept. 13, 1935, to Katherine
Angeline and John Raymond Takacs Sr. in Joliet,
Ill. He graduated from Indiana University, which
he attended on a football scholarship. He was
married to Marilynn Joyce Dainko, his beloved wife
of 28 years, and entered active duty in the U.S.
Air Force in 1958.
Bill's military career spanned 30 years, including
service at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii;
Bergstrom AFB, Texas; Mather AFB, Calif.; Stead
AFB, Nev.; Saigon, Vietnam; Sheppard AFB,
Texas; and Taichung, Taiwan.
Bill was brought in after the failed rescue
attempt in Tehran as commander of the 20th
Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field,
where he was instrumental in building the SOF
capability with H-53s. Much of today's readiness
can be traced back to the efforts of "Col. T" and
his team of officers, NCOs and airmen. After
serving with the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, he
retired in 1988.
Throughout his distinguished military career, Col.
Takacs received numerous awards and
commendations, including the Meritorious Service
Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force
Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the
Air Force Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and
the Republic of Vietnam Pilot Wings. He also
served as a special advisor for Northrop-Grumman
Aviation.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, John R.
Takacs; mother, Katherine Angeline Takacs; and
his wife, Marilynn J. Dainko. Bill is survived by
his brothers, John R. Takacs Jr. and Robert F.
Takacs; sons, William E. Takacs Jr., (Libby),
Douglas J. Takacs and Thomas C. Takacs;
daughters, Sally Jo Takacs-Miller (David) and
Karen Chappell (Johnny); grandchildren, Samantha
Miller, Alyssa Miller, Andria Miller, William E.
Takacs III, Travis Takacs and Ryan Chappell. He is
survived by his longtime companion, P.J.
Brumfield.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 21, at E merald Coast Funeral Home,
113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, FL
32547.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday,
Oct. 22, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fort
Walton Beach. Interment with full military honors
will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested
memorials to the Air Force Aid Society, American
Cancer Society, or ALS, in Bill's memory.
You may share memories and condolences at
www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com
Burial information: Beal Memorial Cemetery
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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