William H. Dowd

William was married to his High School sweetheart Natalie (Ringland) Dowd for 68 years, who passed away in February.

He was born to the late William R and Mary (Hurld) Dowd in Stoneham MA. William graduated from Stoneham High School in 1937. He received a hockey scholarship to Boston College and attended Boston College until joining the US Army Air Corp in 1940.

William graduated from flight training in 1942 and was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the US Army Air Corp. After graduating from flight school, He flew B 25s on anti-submarine patrol until he joined the 15th Air Force in Italy in 1943 as a B 24 pilot. William, while serving with the 15th Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 12 Air Medals. He also received his promotion to Captain and then to the rank of Major while serving with the 15th Air Force.

He was discharged in 1946 from the Army Air Corp and returned to Boston College graduating in 1948.

William was recalled by the US Air Force in 1950 and served until 1973. He flew B 29s during the Korean Conflict and he did two tours of duty in Viet Nam.

After retiring from the active duty Air Force as a Lt Col, William commanded the Air Force High School ROTC program in Flagstaff Arizona for seven years before retiring to play golf in Destin Florida.

William is survived by two children: William J. Dowd and his wife Tracy of Clearwater, FL and Michael R. Dowd and his wife Veronica of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also is survived by grandchildren: Leslie A. Dowd, Michael J. Dowd, Sgt William Patrick Dowd USA, Eric Dowd, Brian Dowd, Alicia Dowd and Devin Dowd and three great grand children: Aiden and Skyler Courtney and Ethan Dowd.

Services will be held Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 2:15 PM at Bay Pines National Cemetery, St. Petersburg, FL. www.mossfeasterclearwater.com