The family will receive friends Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 10:00 AM from First Presbyterian Church of Prattville followed by funeral services at 11:00 AM with Pastor Bryant Hansen and Pastor Bill Bell officiating. Burial will follow at the First Baptist of Chalkville Cemetery after a short graveside ceremony there.
Col. Carlisle was predeceased by his first wife of 56 years, Mildred M. Carlisle and two sons, Victor Lee Carlisle and Larry Alan Carlisle. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Audrey L. Carlisle; one son, William N. (Joan) Carlisle; one step-daughter, Debra W. (Paul) Middleton; one daughter-in-law, Terrica Carlisle; one sister, Louise Rogers; 8 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Col. Carlisle was a veteran of WWII where he served the entire war as a pilot instructor in the Southeast Training Command of the Army Air Force. He left the service after the war ended. He owned and operated a grocery store in the community where he was raised (Chalkville, AL) until his recall to the Air Force in 1949 to fly C-54 aircraft in the Berlin Airlift. He again returned to civilian life after the airlift only to be recalled again in 1951 during the Korean Conflict. He was assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and flew B-29 and B-47 bombers. He elected to stay on active duty until his retirement in 1974. In 1960 he was assigned to SAC Air Command Headquarters as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICOM) Staff Officer and monitored the acquisition of the Minuteman Missile into SAC inventory. He stayed in ICOM for the rest of his military career except for 1 year in Vietnam flying AC-47 gunships for 6 months and base commander at Binh Thuy Air Base in Mehong Delta for the remainder of his Vietnam tour. Joe retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a Command Pilot (with 5500 flying hours) and master missilier. He received many decorations during his military career including the Legion of Merit; the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Bronze Star, 4 Air Medals; Army of Occupation Medal of Berlin Airlift; Vietnam Service medal; WWII victory Medal; and many other medals and ribbons.
A graveside service with full military honors will be at the First Baptist of Chalkville Cemetery at 2:30 PM Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to their favorite charity, First Presbyterian Church of Prattville, AL or Comfort Care Hospice. A special thank you to Prattville Health and Rehab. staff and Comfort Care Hospice.
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