William Arthur Blakeney

William Arthur Blakeney was born April 4, 1947 to Ruth and Bervil Blakeney of El Paso Texas. “Bill” was an active member of the ROTC in high school which laid the foundation for his future military career. After graduating from Burges High school in 1965, and earning a Chemical Engineering Degree from Texas Tech, he began his service with the US Air Force. As a Captain in the Air Force he served as a member of the 455th/ 91st Missile Wing of the Strategic Air Command at Minot AFB, North Dakota, where he was a Combat Missile Launch Officer. He was honorably discharged in 1981, and began his chemical engineering career, working at Atochem, but his fascination with aviation would continue throughout his life.

Bill met Sandra in 1992; four years later, on Feb. 14, 1996, they married. They shared a beautiful home together where they cared for their dogs that they both loved dearly. They also enjoyed cruises and traveling in and out of the country, often meeting with fellow retired Air Force, or members of Prop Nuts, Bill’s radio controlled airplane group. He continued to enjoy building and flying airplanes and interacting with others that shared his interests. Bill will be missed greatly by his friends and family.