He married Lillian L. (Lou) Heffernan on September 20, 1952, and to this union five children were born. Bill and Lou shared 34 years of love and devotion together. He served briefly in the National Guard and U.S. Naval Reserve before joining the United States Air Force, for a total of 28 years, eight months and 22 days, a period which spanned both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was stationed overseas in Vietnam and in Italy, and served with a devotion to duty which was typical of his integrity and loyalty to his wife, friends, and country. He distinguished himself at all time, as was evidenced by many awards and service medals. After retirement from the military, he and his family lived in Germany before making a home in Waynesville.
Bill was an avid fisherman, boatsman, and enjoyed the outdoors. He was active in various Masonic Bodies: home Lodge, Texas 8, San Antonio, Texas; past master and life member of Aviano Lodge 643, Italy; member, Two Bridges Lodge, Zweibruecken, Germany; member of Moslah Shrine Temple; member of York Rite, Frankfurt, Germany; member of Eastern Star, Faith Chapter 19, Pirmasens, Germany. William was past chairman of the Forest Hills Homeowners Association, volunteer financial counselor for the Army Community Services on Fort Leonard Wood, and sponsor and committee member of Ducks Unlimited.
He is survived by his wife, Loy, of Waynesville; his mother, Elizabeth Ray of Cuba, Missouri; one son, Bill, of Austin, Texas; four daughters: Sherri Stewart and Susy Claborn, both of Los Angeles, California; Shelly Bertrand, of Austin, Texas; and Sandy Stewart of Arlington, Virginia; three brothers: Bob and Cliff, both of Cuba, Missouri, and Chuck of Rolla, Missouri; two sisters, June Albrecht of Cuba, Missouri and Nancy Fisher of Niceville, Florida; one grandson, Billy Claborn of Dallas, Texas, and many other relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed by all of them. William was preceded in death by his father.
A memorial has been suggested by the family to the American Heart Association.
Funeral services were held Friday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, with Chaplain Robert R. Davidson officiating.
Music was provided by organist, Dorothy Moore.
Escorts were: Ray Kidd, Chuck Stewart, Cliff Stewart, Bob Stewart, Bill Stewart, and Charles Bertrand.
Honorary escorts were: Billy Claborn, Tom Claborn, Bill Albreckt, Herman Ray, Don Fisher, and John Stevens.
Interment was in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Waynesville Memorial Chapel.
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