William Michael Earley

Mike had a distinguished military and professional career. He held advanced degrees with a Masters in Business administration and a Masters of Industrial Education. He graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas after which he went on to serve in the United States Air Force (1966-1972) during the Vietnam War. He left the Air Force at the rank of Captain. Captain Earley was awarded numerous accommodations including the Distinguished Flying Cross and 8 air medals. He also served as an instructor pilot during his time in the military.

In 1970, Captain Earley piloted the Apollo 13 NASA space crew from Pago-Pago back to Hawaii following the successful splash down and return to Earth. It was unknown at the time whether the Apollo 13 crew would survive their space mission due to a flight capsule mechanical failure.

Upon his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, Captain Earley flew as a commercial pilot for Eastern Airlines (1972-1974) until he left the airlines and began a new career path as an instructor at Kilgore College (KC) in 1976. Mike’s role at KC advanced to the post of Dean of Public Services over the vocational/technical school and adult continuing education program. During his KC tenure, Mike was instrumental in the establishment of the college’s police and fire academies. Mike led efforts to create Kilgore College’s Fire Academy in 1989.

Throughout his life Mike was active in his community. He was a Master Mason in Henderson’s Mason Lodge. Mike was a member of the Goodsprings United Methodist Church where he served as a church deacon.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, W.B. “George” Earley and Marie Earley, and his brother, Wiley B. Earley who was killed in service as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War.

Mike is survived by his wife of 48 years Shirlean Earley, a son Chris Terry of Henderson, Texas, and a son Michael Paul Earley of Doha, Qatar.

Mike was a supporter of the work of the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission in Longview, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission at hiway80rm.org or 903-759-8101.

A time of visitation with his family will be held Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Lakeview Funeral Home, 5000 W. Harrison Road, Longview, TX 75604. A celebration of his life will occur Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Lakeview Funeral Home.