William Joseph Hibschle, USAF (RET), died unexpectedly on Sunday, 1/26/2020, after battling with multiple myeloma. He was 87 years old. His service to the freedom of our nation extended to Alaska, many of the lower 48 states, Japan, Ethiopia, South Africa, South Korea, Somalia, Germany, Belgium, Greenland, and other venues undisclosed.
Father of four, two of his greatest sorrows was being predeceased by his eldest son, Joe, and only daughter, Diane. He is survived by his wife of 68 years and high school sweetheart Dorothy, son Jeff and wife Faith, son David and wife Sara, grandsons Ryan and Kyle, granddaughters Sara Jo and Alison, great grandchildren Nick, Will, Josh, Brighton, Zoey and Chloe, and sister Marianne Dickerson of Denver, CO.
Bill served in the Air Force for 26 years, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel before retiring in Kansas City, MO, in 1978. During his distinguished career, he attained a master’s degree in management, Summa Cum Laude, at Park University while working full time in the service of his country.
A man of many talents, Bill was an accomplished hunter, fisherman, woodworker, and sang tenor in the Anchorage, AK, choir when stationed there in the late 1960’s. Years before, still a teenager, he travelled and performed professionally with a local jazz band in and around his hometown of Leadville, CO. In addition to his singing chops, Bill also played the piano, saxophone, clarinet, and ukulele.
Bill’s passing leaves a large void in the lives of those who knew and loved him. Still, they can take comfort in knowing that he is in a better place and cherish the memories of a full life.
