William Griffiths

Major William Thomas “Bill” Griffiths (1936-2012) was USAF Retired. He always said: “Life should be an adventure;” and his was. For the last 32 years he was a year-round resident of Marco Island, Florida. The first of June he passed on to a new unknown adventure. Griffiths is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Dr. Mary Margaret “Peggy” Nilan. From an earlier marriage he is also survived by his daughter Debra Lumpkin, his son, James Robert Griffiths, as well as his son Mark Thomas Griffiths, and four grandchildren. All are residents of Georgia.

Griffiths was a career United States Air Force officer and fighter pilot, who during the course of his career saw combat and, among many medals, was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross.) He held numerous positions in the Air Force, retiring out of Eglin AFB. However, his greatest love was giving advanced instruction in aviation techniques while in the service and later teaching general aviation pilots in the Florida area. Adding up the different type aircraft he had flown, he was astonished by the figure of 54 in well over 10,000 flight hours.

For enjoyment, the adventure continued, mainly involving travel for holidays with his wife, visits to family and friends, and especially the regular reunions of his air force pilot-training class, 64-E. Travel included flying his small Cessna, camping trips in his RV, and cruises around Europe and the Caribbean .

As a dog lover and veteran, Griffiths would be pleased if those who wish to make a donation in his name were to do so to pet-for-vets.com, a non-profit organization which unites veterans who would benefit from companionship of a dog, with the ideal match for their specific situation including training the shelter dog in advance so that it will be a special match for a specific veteran.