William W. Harrington

October 30, 1928-January 8, 2013

Columbus, Georgia- William W. Harrington, Lieutenant Colonel, (Retired) United States Air Force passed from this Earth on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at Columbus Hospice House. The Reverends Dr. Buddy Cooper, Dr. Jimmy Elder, and Lynn Meadows-White will conduct services at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 12, 2013 in Striffler - Hamby Mortuary, Macon Road Chapel followed by interment at Parkhill Cemetery with Air Force Honors. The Exchange Club of Columbus will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends for visitation at 2:00 P.M. Col. Harrington was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Col. Harrington was born in Athens, Georgia, October 30, 1928, the son of Arthur Wiley Harrington, Sr. of Buford, Georgia, and Carrie Lou Webb Harrington of Lawrenceville, Georgia. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Arthur W. Harrington, Jr.

Educated in the Atlanta area, he graduated Georgia Military Academy followed by The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. He received his bachelor degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Col. Harrington began flight school in 1951 and met the love of his life, the former Eleanor Isom of Moultrie, Georgia. After they married and he completed his pilot training, they traveled throughout the Far East, including Guam, Okinawa, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan.

Col. Harrington served his country with distinction during two combat tours in Korea and another in Vietnam. He amassed over 6,000 hours of flying, primarily in jet fighters, including 47 combat missions in Korea and 53 over North Vietnam while at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base. He later served as battle staff director at 13th Air Force in Saigon. He was in operations, staff, and command positions. While a forward air controller in Korea, he was wounded by enemy fire while directing an air strike in support of allied forces. For this, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. Other awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Commendation Medal and other awards and decorations.

Following retirement, he founded Harrington & Associates, Inc., a real estate brokerage, and appraisal firm where, for over 40 years, he was noted for conducting his business on a high ethical plane. This firm continues to make a valuable contribution to the business community of Columbus. He was Chairman of the Professional Standards Committee of the Columbus Board of Realtors. He served on the Development Authority and was past chairman of Tax Assessors for the consolidated government of Muscogee County.

He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, and a Sojourner. He was a member and past president of the Exchange Club of Columbus and a member of the Coweta Falls Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Other organizations include the Air Force Association, Quiet Birdmen, the Military Officers of America, and the National Rifle Association.

Survivors include his son, W.W. "Chip" Harrington, Jr. (Mary) of Fayetteville, Georgia; two daughters, Anne Bruni (Alan) of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Susan Williams (John) of Columbus; seven grandchildren, Bryon and Rachael Harrington, Briggs and Terrell Bruni, and Wesley, Wyatt, and Walker Williams; one sister-in-law, Susan Isom; and three nieces, Suzanne Mullin, Karen Isom, and Elizabeth Isom.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Attn: Donations, 2900 Rocky Point Road, Tampa, FL 3367, The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, Youth Ministry at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church, 5122 Pierce Chapel Road, Midland, GA 31820, or a charity of your choice .

Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com