Maj. Roger Carroll Ashley

Maj. Roger Carroll Ashley, Ret. passed away on January 9, 2022 just short of his 101st birthday. Known to most as "PAW", Roger was the son of Roger Isaac Ashley and Zettie Rebecca Carroll and was born on February 20, 1921 in the family home of his mother, located in the deep south of Little Rock, AR. At the age of 17 he joined the Arkansas National Guard 2 years prior to graduating from high school. In 1941 the Arkansas National Guard was mobilized to Ft. Bliss for desert training. He was on duty when the attack on Pearl Harbor took place. He trained on various aircraft, his favorites being the P-51 and B-25. He spent stints in North Africa and Europe before returning to the States where he was discharged from the Army Air Corp joining the reserves as a Captain. Convinced the war was over he resigned his position in the reserves and accepted a Lieutenant's slot in the National Guard in hopes of flying P-51's again. He was recalled into the USAF as a First Lieutenant putting him back where he had been 6 years prior, He completed the Army Airborne course but broke his back testing a new type of parachute. He went back to his P-51's located in Iceland where his squadron flew the P-51's to Scotland and Roger returned to California where he flew F-100's. He was one of the Air Force's test pilots who pioneered afterburner flight and was one of the Air Force's very first instrument pilot instructors. There were many stories Roger recited from his career but to tell them here would result in a novel. He retired in March of 1965 from the AF and moved to San Antonio where he worked for 2 insurance companies, the last being USAA. He retired early from USAA and opened his own claims service. Roger never had any regrets on his Air Force career. He spent his later years enjoying his family and sitting pool side smoking cigars.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Jane Ashley. He is survived by son Michael Ashley and wife Patti; daughter Tamsie Lykins and husband Ronnie; grandchildren Christopher Lykins; Ashley Lykins; Michelle Hanover and husband Keith; and Wade Ashley along with 9 great grandchildren.

There will be a visitation on January 29, 2022 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 PM at Porter Loring Funeral Home located at 2102 N. Loop 1604 E.