William Lewis Sickenberger

Colonel William Lewis Sickenberger passed away at the age of 89 on December 29, 2023, in Fairfax, Virginia. He was pre-deceased by wife Kathleen (Holst) Sickenberger (d. 2013). He will be forever loved by wife Carolyn Sickenberger, daughter Gail Mallaber (Biff), son William L. Sickenberger Jr. (Phyllis), grandchildren Ellen, Will, Emily, and Lauren. William is survived by sister Fran Rominger, pre-deceased by sister Rita Enlow (d. 2020) and many nieces and nephews. He will be sadly missed by Christine, Gary and Hope Dickson.

William was born in Rocky Ford, CO on April 20, 1934, to Dausa R. and Ellen M. Sickenberger. After graduation from high school in his hometown, he attended the University of Colorado where he entered the Aviation Cadet training program. This led to a commission in the Air Force, allowing him to act on his early fascination and passion for flying.

His career with the Air Force led him to Germany, where he met and married Kathleen Holst of Genoa, CO in 1957. Their marriage lasted 55 years, until her death in 2013.

William flew more than a half-dozen different airplanes in a variety of missions. At his pinnacle, he flew the F-4 Phantom fighter jet on 179 missions in the skies over Viet Nam. He received numerous medals for these including the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Clusters. After flying, William rose to the rank of Colonel, and served in many critical roles for the Air Force. His affinity for foreign languages, and love for foreign people and their cultures, paved the way for several overseas assignments. A three-year stint in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he was part of a very small and select group of military advisors to Brazil, highlighted his overseas activity in the Air Force.

In 1985, William retired from the Air Force, moving to Reston, VA. He went on to hold various senior positions with Electronic Data Systems and other companies in support of the US Armed Forces. He finished his long career with the NASD Stock Exchange as Director of the NASD Y2K project.

William married Carolyn Blazina in 2015, and enjoyed 8 wonderful years of love and companionship with her in Fort Belvoir, VA.

He was a loving and committed husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend. He was a valiant hero who served his country honorably. His natural curiosity, love for learning, travel and helping others defined his life. He had a keen mind and was famous for fixing anything and everything. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten, his legacy being love, loyalty and honor.

There will be a funeral mass held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mt. Vernon Highway, Alexandria, VA on Friday Jan. 12, 2024, at 3 PM. Arrangements for his burial at Arlington National Cemetery are pending.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations to the following charities are greatly appreciated:

1) Fisher House – Provides support for US military families around the world when their loved one is in the hospital. To donate, please go to:

https://fisherhouse.org

2) Dementia Society of America - To donate, please go to:

https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate