William "Bill" Meyer

He was born on November 11, 1928 in Okawville, IL, the son of the late William F.C. and Emma (Koester) Meyer. Bill loved growing up on the family farm, working alongside his parents and siblings. He graduated from Okawville High School in 1947 and then began working for Independent Packing Company in St. Louis, MO while also attending Missouri Business College.

Bill served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War era from 1950 to 1954 where he traveled the U.S. extensively as a mechanic, flight engineer, and crew chief for the B-25 Bomber, during which he received numerous medals, awards, and commendations for achievements including 2 separate recognitions from generals for 200 flight hours without an abort and all time high record for 230 flight hours in a month.

After his military service, Bill attended the University of Houston from 1954 to 1957 where he loved the college life and was a proud member of Sigma Nu military fraternity.

His love of the military and aircraft led him to return to St. Louis to begin his stellar 26 year career with McDonnell-Douglas. Continued education at Washington University, College of Great Falls, MT, and University of Maryland led to career advancement from Fighter Flight Inspector, Field Service Representative, and a Senior Quality Procurement Representative. In 1960, Bill met and married Grace DeWilde and 2 years later on July 13, 1962, they welcomed their daughter Suzanne. They shared 54 years of marriage together filled with many travels and adventures as a family due to Bill’s work. For the majority of his career, Bill was an expert in the F-4 Fighter jet as a field representative to the Air Force. During his career he received many letters of commendations from the Air Force and numerous awards for his outstanding work. Other aircraft in which Bill specialized in were the F-101, F-15, F-18, and AV8. He was stationed at Air Force bases in Florida, Maine, Montana, and 3 air bases in Germany. He also served in Canada, Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Libya, and Italy. In 1972 Bill was assigned to Springfield, IL to support the F-4 fighters at the Air National Guard.

Found in his belongings by his beloved daughter Suzanne was a list entitled “The Many Loves of My Life”. The list included classic cars, music era 1920’s through the 1950’s, dancing, airplanes, military life, college life and Sigma Nu, exercise and maintaining health, selling cars in retirement, retired life, his beloved cats, and protecting American freedom.

He was an avid reader with special interests in history, especially military history, science, medical advancement, space exploration, animals, and nature. Most of all he was a devoted and loving husband and father whose highest priority was caring for and spending time with his family.

Bill is survived by his loving daughter Suzanne of Springfield, his sister Emaly Perrine of Oregon, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Grace, and 5 siblings, Addie Bieser, Earl Meyer, Oren Meyer, Isabelle Vetrano, and Genevieve Prell.

Services are under the direction of Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 E. Allen, Springfield. Military honors will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at 4 pm at the funeral home with visitation to follow until 7 pm. Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 10 am at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Cremation rites will follow.

Memorials may be made to the A.P.L. (Animal Protective League) or to the Wounded Warrior Project.