William Howard Snead

July 10, 1938- June 1, 2026

Service Information

Ridout’s Brown Service Prattville Chapel

June 8, 2026

Visitation: 10:30 | Service: 11:30

A Life of Duty, Service, and Adventure

Colonel William Howard “Sam” Snead, United States Air Force (Retired), passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026. A man of uncommon skill, warmth, adventure, and deep faith Sam lived a life defined by flight, fellowship, and a deep love of family. From the football fields of Virginia to the cockpits of supersonic fighter jets, he met every challenge with quiet confidence and a steady hand.

Born July 10, 1938, Sam grew up in Virginia and graduated from Covington High School in 1956. A gifted athlete, he earned a football and baseball scholarship to Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education — a foundation that served him well as both a craftsman and a teacher. It was at Virginia Tech that Sam also joined Air Force ROTC, beginning a journey that would carry him to the skies.

Following his commission, Sam went on active duty with the United States Air Force, where he distinguished himself as an Instructor Pilot at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama. His passion for flight and his gift for teaching were evident from the start, shaping young aviators with the precision, patience, and mentorship.

In 1965, Sam embarked on two parallel careers that would define the arc of his life. He joined Delta Air Lines and simultaneously became a member of the Alabama Air National Guard in Montgomery. Over the coming decades, Sam flew an impressive array of aircraft in Guard service — the T-33, RF-84, RF-4C, and F-4D — ultimately rising to become Squadron Commander of the 160th Tactical Fighter Squadron. He retired from the Guard in 1988 with decades of distinguished service to his name.

His airline career was equally remarkable. Sam flew for Delta Air Lines for over three decades, culminating in the role of International Captain on the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. He retired from Delta in 1997, having carried passengers safely across continents and oceans — a fitting capstone to a lifetime aloft.

Retirement from the cockpit never dimmed Sam’s love of aviation. He remained active with the Civil Air Patrol and continued flying privately, keeping the sky close. An avid golfer, a faithful

churchgoer, and a devoted family man, Sam embraced every chapter of his retirement with the same enthusiasm he brought to the cockpit. He cherished every chance to return to Virginia for family reunions and visits, holding fast to the roots and relationships that anchored him throughout his remarkable life.

Family

Colonel Snead was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Wilson Snead and Frenchie Wood Snead.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Anne Snead; his brother, Ronald Wilson Snead; his devoted children, Dorothy Snead McCullough (Alton), William Howard Snead, Jr. (Susan), Byron Kevin Mills, and Kristi Mills Jeffers (Tommy); his cherished grandchildren, Adam Mitcham (Anna) and Susan Renee Rollins, Thomas Blake Jeffers, Samuel Harris Jeffers, and Katherine Mae Jeffers; and his great-grandchildren, Jordan Mitcham, Parker Mitcham, and Dakota Delane Rollins.

A Legacy Remembered

Colonel William H. “Sam” Snead will be remembered as a patriot, a pilot, and a gentleman of uncommon grace. From his days as a standout football player at Virginia Tech to his final flights across the Atlantic, Sam embodied dedication, service, and a boundless love of life. His laughter, his stories of the skies, and his unwavering devotion to family and friends leave an enduring legacy in the hearts of all who were privileged to know him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his church, Coosada Baptist Church, 5687 Coosada Road, Coosada, Alabama 36020.