Harold W. Grace USAF Col. Jr. Ret.

He was born 28 October 1920 in Mitchell SD to Harold and Lilian H. Grace. Survivors include his brother, Ted Grace of Scotland SD; sister, Marilyn Mathews of Houston TX; his eldest son, Wayne and his wife, Linda and their children, Megan and Tim of Black Hawk SD; and his youngest son, Jay and his wife, Kerry and their son, Steven of Houston TX. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lillian M. Grace. Harold attended South Dakota State University, graduating with the class of 1942 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He entered the US Army as an Aviation Cadet in May of 1943, serving as a navigator on a B17 crew in The European Theater during WWII. Following the war, returning to McDill AFB he married his lifelong partner Lillian M. Knight, of Tampa FL in 1946. Together, they had assignments in Guam, Japan, Ohio, New York, Greenland, California, Thailand, the Pentagon, and Texas. He served as both an aviator and an engineer during these assignments. He also served in the Korean War and Vietnam. He remained in the Air Force, eventually serving 28 years and retiring in San Antonio TX in 1971. Following his retirement, he spent many hours as a volunteer at Wilford Hall Hospital, and with the San Antonio Little Theater Group. Harold enjoyed lapidary work, woodworking, and enjoyed working in his yard and garden. He always loved a good joke, a drink with friends, and above all his family. We will miss him greatly.