Bill was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on Nov. 28, 1920. He graduated from high school and college in La Grange, ILL. 

After flying 68 combat missions in World War II as an Air Force A-20 pilot in Italy and France, he left the service in 1945 as a major. During the war, Bill was the recipient of numerous citations for valor and courage under fire, including the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He became a Mason in 1950. He had a long career in sales, later specializing in water purification for hospitals and other medical facilities.

Bill was a longtime member of the Congregational Church, first in Marion, Mass., then in Del Rey Beach, Fla., at Church of the Palms, where be was a deacon, church moderator and usher Most recently, he was a member of Church of the Foothills, where he had been an usher.

He married his beloved wife, Ruth, in 1943. After returning from the war, they lived in Ohio and Massachusetts before settling in southeast Florida with their daughters, Sherri and Chris. After 42 years in Florida, they made the move to Ventura, where their daughters are both residents of Ventura County.

Bill will be remembered as a true family man who quietly set the highest example of integrity, honesty and caring to those close to him and who loved him dearly. We will all miss him and his unique humor immensely.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth; daughter, Sherri Blada of Thousand Oaks; daughter and son-in-law Chris and Peter Howard of Ojat; grandchildren, Justin and Kirk Blada of Thousand Oaks, Maryn and Ashley Howard of Ojai; sister, Mary Howland of South Dartmouth, Mass.; sisters-in-law, Carol Brand of Naperville, Ill. and Pat Brand of Minocqua, Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of the sixth floor and Bill's doctors at Community Memorial Hospital for their loving care. Bill enjoyed volunteering as a flyer at the hospital.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Bill's life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road, Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.

Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Metal 
Bill with his A-20 Havoc Light Bomber
Memorial Service