William "Bill" Bee Horner

William Bee "Bill" Horner, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, entered his Heavenly home on Friday, March 18, 2016 following a lengthy illness in Fort Myers, FL. Bill was the youngest of seven children born to Elias James Horner and Jessie May Bee Horner on February 26, 1923 in Birmingham, AL and was graduated from Ensley High School with the Class of 1942.

Bill enlisted in the Army Air Corps on July 11, 1942 and entered basic training in

Ft. McClellan, AL. His military specialties were Aerial Engineer Gunner and Navigator. Bill flew 53 aerial missions with the 327th Army Air Forces Base Unit over France and northern Africa. Bill was awarded several Decorations and Citations. Bill was honorably discharged with the rank of Technical Sergeant at Camp Blanding, FL on September 5, 1945.

Bill began his higher education at Birmingham Southern College and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Alabama, his beloved alma mater, in 1951. He studied at seven universities or colleges during his career including Frankfort University in Germany. He received his Master of Science degree from Xavier University in Ohio. Bill began his 36 year career with North American Aviation as an aerospace engineer and was stationed in Europe during the 1950's, when North American Aviation had contracts with NATO allies to supply peacekeeping aircraft during the Cold War. He spent most of his career assigned to Dayton, Ohio near Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Bill was among those who played key roles in development of the X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered fighter jet, the B-1 bomber and the B-1B bomber. During Bill's career, North American Aviation became Rockwell International, where he worked until retirement in January of 1987.

Bill was an accomplished woodworker, designing numerous "Creations by Billy". He enjoyed playing the organ and was a dedicated golfer who recorded a hole in one on his scorecard in his 80th year. The most important part of Bill's life was his faith in Jesus Christ.

Bill married his first wife Helen Florence Hauge in May 1954 in Madison, WI. He met his second wife Bee Butler in Kettering, Ohio and after a long relationship they married in 1983. They retired to Ft. Myers, FL in September of 1987.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Bernice Delores Lawson Butler Horner, daughter, Barbara Lynn Horner Coniff, son, Jeffrey William (Lisa) Horner, step-sons, Christopher Lawson (Polly) Butler, Keith Carlos Butler, and Dwight Kenneth (Dixie) Butler, grandchildren, Cameron Dean Horner, Natalie Marie Horner, Austin Hauge Horner, Madelyn May Horner, Olivia Louise Horner, Jarrett William Coniff, Alexander Michael Coniff, Anthony "Tony" Daniel Butler, Tonya Lynn (Mark) Humphries, Haley Nicole Butler, Ryan Jeffrey Butler, Mitchell Ray (Kerri) Banks, Regan Rebecca Butler, Bowen Whitaker Butler, great-grandchildren, Mason Reese Butler, Bryce Anthony Butler, Sophia McKay Butler, Mia Kate Humphries, Henry Robert Humphries, and Tristan Ray Banks. Bill is survived by one sister, Anna Horner Hadden of Alabama and six nieces, four nephews, six great nieces and three great nephews.

Bill is predeceased by his parents, Elias James and Jesse May Bee Horner, brother, Benton Dean (Dorothy) Horner, sisters Margaret Isabella (Ray) Trasher (John) Dillon, Alice May (Vic) Bubbett, Florence Elizabeth (Watson) Hicks, Agnes Horner (James) Grant, brother-in-law, David Hadden, son-in-law Patrick Francis Coniff, and six nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held Monday, April 4th, 2016 at 2:00pm at Faith Presbyterian Church, Cape Coral, FL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Faith Presbyterian Church, 4544 Coronado Pkwy. Cape Coral, FL 33904, or Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Ft. Myers, FL 33908 in Bill's memory.

Arrangements under the direction of HODGES-KISER FUNERAL HOME, Fort Myers, FL.