William Frank Storm

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of William Frank Storm, known to friends and family as Bill, who passed away in Georgetown, Texas, at the age of 84. Bill was a cherished father, brother, uncle, and friend, and his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched.

Bill is survived by his beloved daughter, Kathleen Marie Storm Garcia, and her husband Marcus Garcia, of Georgetown, TX. He is also mourned by his brother, David Storm, and his fiancée, Christina Neal; his sister-in-law Barbara Storm; his nephew, Douglas Storm, his wife Jennifer, and their daughter Olive; and his niece, Debora Storm Walker, her husband Derek, and their children Dylan and Danielle—all of whom reside in San Diego, CA. Bill will also be missed by many dear friends and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his father, William LaVerne Storm; his mother, Ethel Charlotte Mason Storm; and his brother, Jerome George Storm.

Born in Waterloo, Iowa, Bill’s family relocated to San Diego, CA, during his childhood. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958, where he formed lifelong friendships that he cherished, especially when reconnecting at Class of ‘58 reunions. Bill went on to earn a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Experimental Psychology from San Diego State University in 1964 and 1965, respectively. He received his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Missouri in 1970, having been funded as a NASA Research Fellow. While in school, Bill served in the United States Air Force Reserves from 1962-1968.

Bill often credited his success to the foundation laid during his years at Lincoln High School, where he was introduced to both the humanities and the sciences—an education that served him well in his career. His devotion to education, research, and collaboration set him apart as a leader in his field.

Bill’s professional work focused on enhancing cognitive performance and ensuring the safety of those performing under demanding, high-stakes conditions. The research he and his teams conducted answered key questions about human performance for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and NASA, using a combination of laboratory studies, field exercises, and real-time mission applications. Throughout his career, Bill was an advocate for teamwork, always recognizing that his accomplishments were a result of the collective effort of the outstanding teams in which he worked.

A key part of his early career was his role as a National Research Council post-doctoral trainee at the 6571st Aeromedical Research Lab at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, from 1969 to 1971. There, he focused on the psychophysiology of sleep in primates and work/rest schedules, under the mentorship of Dr. Bryce O. Hartman. During this time, Bill’s daughter Kathleen was born in Alamogordo, NM, in 1970.

In 1971, Bill went to work at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB in San Antonio, TX. Over the next 25 years, he conducted research on the effects of work/rest cycles, time zone changes, and environmental stress on psychomotor performance. He served as the function chief (1975-1988) and then the branch chief (1988-1995) for the cognitive performance and other groups.

Bill spent 1995 to 1996 as the Deputy Director of the Human Resources Directorate of Armstrong Laboratory at Brooks AFB, and then 1996 to 1997 as the Distinguished Visiting Scholar in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado.

In 1997, he returned to the newly-established Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Brooks AFB where he worked as a Supervisory Research Psychologist in the Biodynamics and Protection Division, again heading the cognitive performance research group as well as the environmental physiology research groups.

Bill’s dedication to his field was recognized through numerous honors, including the prestigious Harold Brown Award in 1994, the Air Force’s highest research and development honor. He also received the Department of Defense Desert Shield/Desert Storm Medal in 1992, the Aerospace Medical Association’s Harry G. Moseley Award in 1995, and the Aerospace Human Factors Association’s Henry L. Taylor Founder’s Award in 2004. Humbly, Bill accepted these accolades on behalf of his colleagues, recognizing the collaborative nature of this work.

After retiring from Civil Service in 2002, Bill continued to contribute to the field as a contractor with Wyle, Inc. until 2015. Then in 2020, he moved to Georgetown, TX, to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law, living directly across the street from them, a blessing beyond words.

Outside of his professional life, Bill had a deep love for the outdoors. Whether it was playing basketball, walking long distances later in life, or simply enjoying time with family at La Jolla Shores Beach, Bill found peace in nature. He had a particular fondness for Yellowstone National Park, where he developed treasured friendships, enjoyed learning about the reintroduction of wolves, and embraced the park as a "living classroom.”

Of the many roles Bill held in life, being a father rose to the top. His love was constant and unconditional—a steady presence through every chapter of his daughter’s life. He took great joy in watching Kathleen and Marcus live their lives, and he cherished the time they spent together.

A Celebration of Life Brunch to honor Bill will be held on August 9, 2025, from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm at HighPointe Estate at 5555 County Road 258, Liberty Hill, Texas. This will be an open-house style gathering so please feel free to attend in entirety, or come and go, during those hours.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bill’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Yellowstone Forever.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and medical professionals that cared for Bill, including Bluebird Local Nursing and Blue Water Hospice. While providing excellent care, their specialized teams recognized Bill for the amazing man he was - his sharp mind, quick wit, strong will, and capacity to love.

Bill will be deeply missed by his family and friends.