Lt. Col. Donald E. Avance

Lt. Col. (Ret) Donald E. Avance, age 85, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died at his home in Austin, surrounded by his family, on Friday, January 2, 2009, following a long illness. Don was born in Los Angeles, California, on September 1, 1923, to Lee Del and Pearl Hackleman Avance. Don enlisted in the Army Air Forces after graduating from Hamilton High School in June 1942. Later, he was a B-17 co-pilot in Italy during WWII, completing 18 combat missions before the war ended. His decorations included two Air Medals and four Battle Stars. Following the war, he continued to fly in various capacities for the Air Force, in both the U.S. and overseas, until his retirement in 1973. In 1955, he met the love of his life while living at the Compleat Angler Hotel in Marlow, a village on the Thames River. They were married on April 28, 1956. In 1969, Don earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Maryland. Don is survived by Derek and DeAnne Avance, Jackie and Preston Lewis, Dawn Liesmann and Ricky Gonzales, and Nicholas and Elizabeth Avance. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Denise and Debbie Avance; Tyler Lewis; Jacob and Kendall Liesmann; Ricky Jr., Ashley, and Taylor Gonzales; Victoria and Andrew Avance. Don loved traveling the world but held a particular fondness for England. He loved his cats, long walks, swimming, reading, and University of Texas Football. But most of all he loved his family and they were ever-present in his long and full life. He met death with a courage and grace befitting the Greatest Generation. His family and friends wish him Godspeed and will miss him so. A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar Blvd. The family will receive friends following the service at the Bluffs of Great Hills Clubhouse, Bluffside and Mariscal Canyon, 78759. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759.