Lile W. Springs

Command Chief Master Sergeant Lile W. Springs, USAF retired, passed away March 27, 2016. Lile was born on April 14, 1925, in Hope, Arkansas. Lile enlisted in the Army Aircorps (later the USAF) in November 1945, at the age of 20. The Air Force was his career for the following 30 years. Lile retired in November 1975, from the Command Section of Headquarters 12th Air Force at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas, where he served as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff. During his military career, Lile served as Base Sergeant Major and Cofounder and Commandant of the NCO Leadership School, at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. He also served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to Major General Davis, Headquarters 19th Air Force, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. Lile was a veteran of World War II, Korean conflict and the Vietnam War. His military decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (twice), Air Force Commendation Medal (4 times), World War II Victory Medal and numerous other awards and decorations. Following World War II, Lile married Elizabeth Schoeffler at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana in April 1949.

Lile was a member of Pflugerville First Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as usher, was active in the Precious Memories Sunday school class and the Senior Adult choir. Lile was an avid bowler, bowling on two senior leagues and served as President for 10 years.

Lile is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Springs, and two daughters, Sandra Hayes and husband, Jon of Round Rock and Antoinette Griffin and her husband, John of Austin; his three grandchildren, Sean, Ryan and Troy Hayes, three great grandchildren, and a brother, Dale Springs of California.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 31 from 4pm until 7pm at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Funeral services will be at 1pmFriday, April 1, 2016 in the Memorial Chapel of the Funeral Home with Reverend Daniel Roucloux officiating and John and Antoinette Griffin delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow with Jon and Don Hayes participating in full military honors at Cook-Walden/Memorial Hill Cemetery in Pflugerville. Pallbearers include Ryan Hayes, Troy Hayes, Steve Radovich, Gene Swanberg, Coy Hearin, Bobby Johnson. Honorary Pallbearers include Buster Shelton, Barney Knight and Dr. Manish Chauhan.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Hospice Austin and Christopher House for their compassionate care over the past seven months. For those desiring, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Austin and Christopher House.