William Clarence Giltner

December 18, 1927

November 6, 2015

William “Bill” Clarence Giltner, 87, of Colorado Springs, passed away in his home on Friday, November 6, 2015, surrounded by all of his six children and many of his family. He is much beloved as a gentleman, officer, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

Bill was born in Illinois and grew up largely in Sycamore. He graduated from Sycamore High School before moving to New Mexico. After completing an enlistment in the US Army, he graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering. He entered the service with a regular commission in the Air Force as a distinguished military graduate of the Air Force Reserve Office Training Corps (AFROTC) program. He received a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1956 and was stationed at Thule Air Force Base, Greenland.

Colonel Giltner was assigned to the Air Force Academy Construction Agency during the construction of the Academy from 1957 to 1960. In this role, Bill was responsible for developing design criteria for facilities at the Academy to include the Academy Hospital, Capehart (family) housing, physical education building, Arnold Hall (the Cadet Social Center), and Falcon Stadium. As acting Chief of the Academy Architectural Branch, he conducted a final review of contract documents for the Cadet Chapel. Bill’s check of these plans and specifications resulted in major savings and earned him a commendation.

Bill was also assigned to the faculty of the Academy from 1961 to 1968 and rose to the academic rank of Associate Professor for Engineering Mechanics. He also helped form the Department of Civil Engineering and served as an Associate Professor and Executive Officer of the department. He served as Deputy Base Civil Engineer at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam in 1968-69. As Director of Engineering and Operations and Deputy Chief of Staff Civil Engineering for the 14th Aerospace Force, he assisted in realizing over-the horizon radar and ballistic missile early warning systems.

Retiring from the USAF as a Colonel with more than 23 years service in 1974, Bill served as a consulting engineer for Solar Seven, Solaron, and Nelson Coulson Associates.

Bill loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, skiing, travel, and fishing. He was a tuba player with the New Horizons Band in Colorado Springs for many years. He played a mean game of cribbage and enjoyed many nights of the marble game, Wa-hoo!. He was active in the Society of American Military Engineers and the American Society for Engineering Education and also the Boy Scouts of America, and other youth activities at the Air Force Academy. He was a keen fan of Sherlock Holmes. He reached out to his children throughout a long life.

Bill passed peacefully after a four-month battle with lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Margaret (Peg) Forss Giltner, sister Alice Giltner Wynne, and parents, Archibald and Ethyl Giltner. He is survived by his six children, Sandy, William II, James, Susan (and husband Tom), Anna (and husband Phil), and Alyssa. His twelve grandchildren are: Jackie, Rachel (and husband Jeff), Emily, Laura, Meghan (and husband Austin), Cory, Allison, Aaron, Katie (and husband Cameron), Chase, Danny (and his wife Laura), Andy (and his wife Veronica) . He also has eight great-grandchildren: Kaylee, Norah, Jonah, Christopher, Alexia, Breck, Layne, and Colbie.

A memorial service will take place at the chapel at Swan-Law Funeral Directors on Saturday, November 14 at 2 pm. Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.