George Williams, 96, was born to Ora and Ruby Williams in Lexington, Maine, on February 22, 1924. He grew up with his mother on a farm in Maine going to school there through 8th grade and then joining his father in Boston to go to high school. In 1943, at the age of 19, George was drafted into the Army to participate in World War II. The Air Force was then part of the Army and he was able to join the Air Corps. George underwent his basic training in Miami Beach and was eventually sent to Pueblo for crew training at the Pueblo Air Base. In Pueblo, he met his future wife, Maree Burnham, at the skating rink on Northern Avenue. He approached her on a dare by other Air Force trainees and they skated together. In July 1944, George entered active duty in Attlebridge, England flying 30 combat missions. George flew exclusively on B-24 “Liberators,” which led to his life-long interest in those airplanes. In December 1944, George was an active participant in the “Battle of the Bulge,” flying three missions on three days in a row, an exceptional occurrence for any flight team. At the conclusion of his service, the Air Force recognized George with an Air Medal and four oak leaf clusters. George returned to the United States in February 1945, spending his 21st birthday on the ship coming home. He landed in Boston and on March 22 married Maree Burnham there. After he was discharged, George started as an apprentice at the CF&I for $1.09 an hour. George was always a proud union member, even during the 6-month strike in the mid-1960’s when he supported his family by working as a house painter. Working at the CF&I turned out to be a great choice as he continued to work there for 42 years, retiring in 1989 at the age of 65. George and Maree have two children, Anna (who died in 2016) and Howard. Maree died in 2008. George and Maree were happily married for 63 years. George became an active member of the Pueblo First Seventh-Day Adventist Church not long after marrying Maree. He is also a supporting member of the Pueblo Weisbrod Air Museum, a special museum for the B-24 planes that he flew during the war. George was a very kind and exceptionally loving man, who will be missed by all. A graveside funeral will take place on Tuesday, Aug 4.
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