Bill was born in Hanover, Kansas on August 3, 1932, the first child of Anthony and Lorretta Vlach.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Wilma on December 28, 2021; siblings, Antoinette Vlach, Jim and Richard Vlach.
Survivors include: his siblings, Mary (Errol) Saville, Tony Vlach, Kathy Jones, Karen (Richard) Owens; son, Michael (Cindi) Vlach; daughters, Kimberly (Mark) Fox and Stacey Cloud; 8 grandchildren, Seth (Kristin) Carr, Michelle Vlach, Matthew (Megan) Vlach, Megan (Steven) Harmon, Danielle Cloud, Samantha (Nick) Moretti, Amanda (Andrew) Fox and Trenton Cloud; 10 great-grandchildren, Brendan Vlach, Hunter Harmon, Graham Carr, Sutton Harmon, Mason Vlach, Halle Carr, Emma Vlach, Logan Moretti, Easton Harmon and Nicholas Fox.
Bill graduated from Kansas State College with a degree in Business Administration in 1954. At the same time he was commissioned as a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force and began pilot training in June of 1954. He married Wilma while in training at Malden Airbase in Missouri in December of 1954. Bill flew a variety of aircraft during his 26 year military career, ranging from the small O-1 single engine plane to the eight engine B-52, flown over the Arctic Circle and the Mediterranean Sea, during the Cold War days in the early 1960's. Some of these lasted for up to 27 hours involving three or four air refueling by airborne tanker aircraft. His assignments included B-52 aircraft commander, Squadron Commander, Wing Deputy Commander for Operations, Forward Air Controller, Command Post Officer Controller and Airborne Action Operations Officer, Legislative Liaison Officer for the Secretary of The Air Force to the Congress of the United States, and Air War College instructor and staff officer. He also served as Advance Agent for the Presidential Aircraft, Air Force One, in the early 1970's. Bill's awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with clusters and the Vietnam Service Medal. He flew 365 combat missions in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller. He retired as a Colonel in 1980.
Bill earned a Masters Degree in Personnel Management by attending night school while in the service. He worked for twelve years as Personnel Director for the Public Utility Commission of Texas until he retired in 1992.
In retirement Bill served in numerous volunteer positions including the Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1, the Lago Vista Board of Adjustments, the Planning & Zoning Commission, the Roads and Grounds Committee, and as a Meals-On-Wheels volunteer for the area. He was a member of St. Mary Our Lady of The Lake Catholic Church and a longtime member of the church choir.
Like many fathers and grandfathers whose careers kept them away from family for extended periods of time, Bill enjoyed spending as much of his retirement time as possible with his children and grandchildren. A particular highlight of his retirement years occurred on December 27, 2014 when all of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren unexpectedly arrived at his home to celebrate Bill and Wilma's 60th wedding anniversary.
Memorial Mass for both Bill and Wilma will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2022 at St. John's Catholic Church, Hanover, Kansas. Inurnment will take place following the mass at St. John's Cemetery, with military honors for Bill.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-3517 and Alzheimer's Association, 1820 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67214.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ResthavenMortuary-Cemetery.com for the Vlach family.
