William Wilcox

William Wilcox: A Celebration of his Life will be held on the 95th anniversary of his birth, Saturday, September 11, 2010, from 2 to 4 PM at Savannah Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages, FL 32162 (On the corner of El Camino Real and Buena Vista Blvd). Please join me in this festive event. It is exactly what Bill would want. I encourage you to share your own thoughts and stories at this time. Bill Wilcox was the son of a former owner of Wilcox-Garland Funeral Chapel, now Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. We are not taking care of his arrangements, but are posting his story to honor his memory in Oskaloosa. General Wilcox flew 75 combat missions, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Service Medal, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Outstanding Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and others. He was a Command Pilot with more than 4400 flying hours. On the occasion of his retirement, General Wilcox was praised for his ""outstanding performance of duty"" by his Commanding Officer, General of the Air Force, John P McConneIl, Chief of Staff, USAF, 1968, as having ""contributed significantly to the efficiency and effectiveness of our military establishment."" General Wilcox's full military history is available through Google (William W Wilcox). Following his Air Force retirement in November, 1968, General Wilcox moved to Newport Beach, CA, where he began a new career in the financial services industry and became an active member of the local Rotary Club. In 1986, he and his second wife, Ellen, founded Wilcox Financial Services in San Carlos, California. Mr. Wilcox remained self-employed as a Registered Principal with LPL Financial Services until his retirement in 1998, at age 83, when the Wilcox's moved to Lady Lake, Florida. A star has been returned to Heaven with the passing of William W Wilcox, 94. Known to his friends as Bill, Brigadier General Wilcox, USAF, Retired, departs with a history of academic achievement, military accolades and personal success through service to his country and to his fellow Americans. Born September 11, 1915 in the farming community of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Bill was academically proficient and athletically gifted contributing to his High School football and basketball teams. He entered the US Military Academy at West Point in 1936 after a short stint in the Iowa National Guard while an undergraduate student at William Penn College in Oskaloosa. Being graduated from West Point in 1940, Second Lieutenant Wilcox opted for flight school and the fledgling US Army Air Corps. His service in WWII included multiple Command positions with the 12th Bomb Group serving in Italy, Sicily, North Africa and the China, Burma India Theater. Returning stateside, now Lt. Colonel Wilcox filled various assignments including Professor of Mathematics at his alma mater, West Point, and an assignment at the Pentagon. Promoted to Colonel, he requested assignment to Strategic Air Command, where he later flew and commanded Wings ofB-47's, B-52's and U-2's. Garnering the star ofa Brigadier General, he was assigned to Headquarters, Strategic Air Command as Chief of Operations and Training. He ultimately was National Commander of this nation's Civil Air Patrol. Fitness was always a part of Bill's day. Squash and tennis were his favorite ways to keep moving. He earned a second place fmish in squash competition in the Strategic Air Command in 1959, and he continued playing tennis through his 90th year. Fishing was another of his passions, especially with a fly rod. Bill was an enthusiastic member of his Harbor Hills community helping to organize a major fund raiser which helped launch the HH Tennis Association more than ten years ago. In the past four years, Bill could be found five days a week at The Villages Wellness Center where he contributed his always cheerful spirit while participating in structured fitness classes. As a Rotarian in Newport Beach, CA, and later in San Carlos, CA, General Wilcox contributed many hours of service as a member of the Board of Directors, often chairing and organizing various charity events. He helped initiate a youth soccer program in Yugoslavia funded by his San Carlos Rotary Club. Both he and Mrs. Wilcox are Paul Harris Fellows. PDF Printable Version

William Wilcox

September 11, 1915 - August 25, 2010