Joseph Cahill

He was born July 20, 1924 in Leavenworth, Kansas, the son of Joseph J. Cahill and Hannorah K. (Rieger) Cahill.

In 1942, he attended St. Benedict's College before enlisting as a Private in the United States Army Air Corps in 1943. Later, he became an Aviation Cadet, underwent flying training and on December 23, 1944 he won his pilot wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. After graduation from pilot training, he completed B-25 Bomber training and then assigned as a pilot at the newly established Radar Bombing School located at Williams Field, Arizona. On November 24, 1945, then First Lieutenant Cahill was married to Betty Gene Smith. Joe and Betty just recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Following the end of World War II, Lt. Cahill remained in the Army Air Corps (later U.S. Air Force) and served in a variety of flying and administrative positions in the U.S. and in England. In 1951, he received a regular Air Force commission and he continued to serve in various flying, administrative, and command positions. He was graduated from the University of Maryland in 1957 and from the Air Force Command and Staff College in 1958. There followed assignments to Air Force Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Hawaii, and Tennessee. In 1965, then Lt. Colonel Cahill volunteered for combat duty in Viet Nam where he flew 156 tactical airlift missions as an Aircraft Commander of a C-130 "Hercules" aircraft. In September of 1966, he was promoted to the grade of Colonel and he became Deputy Commander of Operations for the 314th. Tactical Airlift Wing also located in Southeast Asia. Following return from Southeast Asia, he served in assignments in Georgia and Germany, and retired from the Air Force in September of 1975 after completing two years as Chief of Staff of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center of Georgia. During his Air Force career, Colonel Cahill was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. After retirement from the Air Force and until 1986, Mr. Cahill was employed by the State of Florida as Administrator of Enrollment, Florida Public Retirement System. Mr. Cahill was a life member of the Air Force Association and past President of the Tallahassee Retired Officers Association.

Joseph Eugene Cahill, is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Smith Cahill, his sister: Kitty Anderson, Saginaw, Michigan, his children: Patrick J. Cahill, wife Mayetta, Leavenworth, KS., Polly Cahill Beckett, husband Steve , grandchildren: Katherine Beckett, Ryan Beckett, Potomac, MD., Michael G. Cahill, wife Sue Ellen, grandchildren Sean M. Cahill, Daniel J. Cahill, Jackson Georgia, Colleen Cahill Murray, grandchildren Jake C. Murray, Joseph Chason Murray, Tallahassee, FL

He was preceded in death by a daughter:Catherine L. Cahill and a brother: Jim Cahill.

Visitation will be at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home 700 Timberlane Road (850) 893-4177 today Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church 4665 Thomasville Road at 10:00 AM Tuesday with burial following at Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Park.

Memorial Contribution may be made to the Big Bend Hospice 1723 Mahan Center Blvd 32308 or to the Church.

Arrangemetns are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, FL.