William August Eggert, Jr.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 64 years, Marjorie, and survived by his two sons, John (and his wife, Katrina), and Don, as well as five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bill was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 7th, 1937. He often liked to tell anyone who would listen that he was exactly 50 months old when WWII began, and as a “war baby,” he and his family struggled; times were extremely tough.

Bill graduated from Wellston High School in June 1955 and immediately enlisted in the US Air Force. He began that career as a flight mechanic, working on the C-54, B-50, and C-123 aircraft, and then became a flight engineer, assigned to the C-141, and later the C-130 aircraft, before retiring as a master sergeant in November 1978. He did receive his college degree in political science from the University of the Philippines while on active duty, but decided to not become a commissioned officer so late in his career; he instead chose to embark on a career at Kennedy Space Center as an integral part of the Space Shuttle Program, where he remained for 31 years.

During Bill’s military assignment at Patrick Air Force Base in the late '50s, he met and married Marjorie Rae Reed. They had two sons and remained married for over 64 years before Marjorie passed away of Alzheimer’s in December 2022. The day Bill passed was exactly 18 months to the day that he lost his beloved Marjorie. As a point of interest, Bill and Marjorie were separated soon after their marriage... he was sent TDY to Guam in 1959 for exactly 18 months. Coincidence?

In retirement, Bill "LIVED" on his Facebook groups. He was always on one of the home computers posting pictures of his many worldly travels and assignments, typing stories, and messaging friends/family. He considered it an honor to share all of his many (literally thousands) photos with those who would look/watch/read/comment/like. Bill always had a quick “dad joke” or “war story” that he was happy to share with anyone who would listen. People who encountered him always said he had a great sense of humor and memory.

Bill’s wish/command to his sons was that there be absolutely NO pomp and circumstance upon his passing. He did not want a viewing, a ceremony, a casket-side gathering; he simply wanted to be placed in the family mausoleum alongside his beloved Marjorie so that he could “hold her hand in eternity.” It is in that spirit that the graveside details are not included in this obituary.

A great friend of Bill's (Jim Dwyer), with whom he served in the Air Force throughout the '70s, texted me a poem two nights before Bill passed. I'd like to close by including it for you now:

I Flew -

When the last checklist is run and the bag drag is done,

I will reminisce of the days I once knew.

I will not remember the 3 AM alerts,

But only that I flew!

I will not remember the crew rest in tents,

Nor recall how cold arctic winds blew.

And I'll try not to remember the times I got sick,

But only that I flew!

I will never forget when nature became angry

And challenged my intrepid crew.

And I'll always remember the fear I felt,

And the pride in knowing I flew!

I will remember the sights my mortal eyes have seen,

Colored my multitudes of hues.

Those beautiful lights on cold winter nights,

Seen only by those who flew!

God was extremely good to me

And let me touch his face.

He saw my crew through war and peace,

And blessed us with His Grace!

So when I stand at St. Peter's gate

And tell him that I'm new,

I know he'll smile and welcome me,

Because he knows... I FLEW!

R I P, Dad

October 7th, 1937 - June 10th, 2024

USAF MSgt (Retired)

Kennedy Space Center Space Shuttle Program (Retired)