William Porter Binks Jr.

Colonel William P. Binks Jr. (ret), 91, passed away at Beth Sholom Village on Sunday, June 12, 2011. He was a devoted, loving, and inspirational husband, father of two sons and a daughter, and grandfather of seven grandchildren.

His career of 30 years in the United States Air Force included combat duty overseas during World War II, and tours in Japan and Haiti. During his career he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences from Syracuse University. After his retirement from the Air Force he resided in Satellite Beach, Florida, for 38 years, during which he commanded the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit at Eau Gallie High School and taught aviation science.

Col. Binks was born on October 15, 1919 at Benton Harbor, Michigan, and was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In 1937 he graduated from Columbia Military Academy, Columbia, Tennessee, and entered the University of Tennessee, where he became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In August 1941 he enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the 9th Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

In 1942 he transferred to the United States Army Air Corps and served as a pilot in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 1943 to 1945. During this time he participated most notably in the D-Day invasion, Operation Overlord; received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Purple Heart.

Later duty in the Air Force included successive assignments as a squadron commander and headquarters staff officer. In 1951 he began a two-year posting with the Air Force mission in Haiti. Additional tours were with the Air Force Inspector General staff at Norton Air Force Base in California, and on the staff of the Strategic Air Command headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska.

Col. Binks graduated from the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1963, and then served as Deputy Director for Intelligence at Strategic Air Command 15th Air Force Headquarters, March Air Force Base, California, and on the joint staff at United States Forces, Fuchu Air Station, Japan.

His final assignment on active duty was at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia, where he was a Deputy Director for Intelligence at Tactical Air Command headquarters. Upon his retirement he was awarded the Legion of Merit medal. His other decorations and awards included the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Haitian Distinguished Service Medal.

In his retirement Col. Binks was an avid sports fan, especially favoring the Tennessee Volunteers and Los Angeles Dodgers, and was nearly a scratch golfer. He was active in military associations such as The Military Officers Association of America; The Air Force Association; and the Officers Club at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.

Col. Binks was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Mary Pickard Binks of Chattanooga, Tennessee and by his sister, Betty Binks Kimbrough of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

He is survived by his wife Catharine Collins Binks of Morgantown, West Virginia; brother Phillip Schmidt and wife Joan of Gallatin, Tennessee; and Porter Binks of New York City, New York.

Col. Binks is survived by his son, William P. Binks III and wife Norma of Hampton, Virginia; his daughter Sharron Binks Johnson and her husband Frederick of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and son John Binks and wife Renee of Herndon, Virginia.

Col. Binks is survived by daughter-in-law Crystal Binks of Orlando, Florida, and grandchildren Patrick Binks and wife Danielle of Hampton, Virginia; Andrew Binks of Williamsburg, Virginia; Michelle LaVigne and husband Timothy of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Michael Johnson and wife Erin of Alexandria, Virginia; Megan Johnson of Richmond, Virginia; Austin Binks of Herndon, Virginia; and Kelsey Binks of Orlando, Florida.

Col. Binks is survived by step-children Ann Sauvageot and husband Ed

Price of Morgantown, West Virginia; Sally Collins-Callen and husband

Eldon of Morgantown, West Virginia; Richard Collins and wife Olivia of

Ratcliff, Kentucky; and Henry Collins of Morgantown, West Virginia.

The family will receive friends at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home Friday from 12-1.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Friday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery, with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honor of Col. Binks to the Alzheimer's Association, Southeastern Virginia Chapter, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.

Arrangements under the direction of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-East Chapel, East Ridge, TN.