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William "Bill" J. Warren Final Flight on March 01, 2015
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William "Bill" J. Warren, CMSgt, USAF (Retired) September 26, 1933 - March 01, 2015
CMSGT William J. Warren (ret), 81, of O’Fallon, Illinois, born Tuesday, September 26, 1933, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, died Sunday, March 1, 2015 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL.
Bill worked as a Helicopter Flight Engineer. He was a member of O’Fallon Lodge #576 A.F. & A.M., mason of 50 years, YorkRite Bodies, Aloha Shrine Temple and an associate member of Ainad Shrine, Directors Staff, Past President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Uniform Units and a Circus Gopher. He was a Life time member of the Jolly Green Rescue Association, VFW, American Legion, DAV, ELKS. and Charter Member of Scott Chiefs Group. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 32 1/2 years serving in Vietnam.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, Albert Joseph and Angelyn nee Smith Warren.
Surviving are his Wife of 59 ½ years, Marilyn “Sue” nee LaFollette Warren of Fairview Heights, IL.; Son, Jay (Bobbie) Warren of Damiansville, IL.; Daughter, Debi (Steve) Carson of Shiloh, IL.; Grandchildren, Tori (Tim) Koch, Becca (Nick) Gilomen, Mike (Jamie Wiley) Carson, Josh (LeAnn) Carson, John Carson; Great-Grandchildren, Allyssa Koch, Emma Koch, J. J. Koch, Izzy Gilomen, Carson Wiley, Luke Carson; Sister, Sandy (Russ) Heminger; Sisters-In-Laws, Pat (Chuck) Schackmann and Sally-Ann O’Dowd.
Memorials: may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children or Jolly Green Association Scholarship Fund or Donor’s Choice.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Thursday, March 5, 2015 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois with the Uniform Units and Directors Staff walk-through held at 7:15 followed by a Masonic service at 7:30pm.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10:00am at the Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois Interment will follow at Jefferson Barrack National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. with honors.
~GUEST BOOK~
March 2, 2015 I met, and worked with many "Chiefs" during my 26 years in Rescue, and can truthfully say Bill Warren was the most professional, hardest working, dedicated Chief Master Sergeant I ever met. Bill was truly a people person and I could always depend on him for advice and counsel. During the period from 1968 through 1973 we travelled extensively in support of the Rescue mission. In 1971, Bill was my Flight Engineer when we ferried the first PAVE LOW aircraft to Udorn. It was also the 2nd time Helicopters had ever flown across the Pacific Ocean. In all that time, and, indeed, throughout all the years of our association, I knew Bill to be a man of honor who had vast knowledge--and was always eager to pass that knowledge to some young troop, myself included. Bill will be sorely missed by us all, and will not be forgotten. I can truthfully say the Jolly Green Association owes Bill Warren a special note of thanks for all the work he put into the organization. No member, past or present, has ever worked so tirelessly, than Bill did, to make the Jolly Green Association what it is today. God Speed, old friend. I hope we'll meet again and share our memories of days gone by. I, for one, wish we could do it all over again! ~ Covey Campbell, Colonel, USAF (Retired) March 2, 2015 Sue, you and the entire family are in our thoughts and prayers. The last time Bill and I ordered a new supply of Jolly Green Presidents belt buckles we agreed to order enough to get us both through the process one last time. We sometime fail to realize how much closer our journey here is to the end than the beginning. We will all miss Bill and God will provide the best reunion ever for all of us in the not too distant future. Charlene and I won't be able to make Bill's service but will be there in spirit with you and the family. RIP old friend and we will all see you down the road. John and Charlene ~ John & Charlene Flournoy March 2, 2015 I had the honor and privilege of meeting and knowing Chief Warren at the 40th ARRSq, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand half way through my Air Force career in 1970. Chief Warren was instrumental and the driving force in establishing a separate Air Force Specialty Code for the helicopter flight engineer career field. Without his expertise, knowledge, and insight into Air Force personnel management system regulations and service requirements, the helicopter flight engineer career field would not have been approved and implemented. For that accomplishment alone, all past and present Air Force helicopter flight engineers owe Bill a great deal of gratitude. The "Jolly Green" community has lost a great friend and patriot and he will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Bill. ~ Stan & Carolyn Nelson March 2, 2015 Godspeed, my friend. I'll see you there, on the other side. ~ Jules March 2, 2015 Bill was one of the best Chiefs I have known. He was always involved in activities to help others. We shared many years in the MAC and later Scott Chiefs Group. Bill always took on the hard jobs and never failed. I will miss him and the conversations we shared. Sue, Debbie and I will keep you in our thoughts. ~ Stu and Debbie Carter March 2, 2015 I have met and worked with many types of people both famous and not famous in my life/career. I can count on one hand the number of those who were truly men of honor and integrity. I count you Bill, as one of them. It was my honor to have known you and call you friend. You will be missed. ~ Tom Setser, U.S. Secret Service March 2, 2015 I was stationed at Malmstrom AFB, Montana when Bill came to us as a brand new 3 level fresh out of Tech. School. ~ Bevon R. Dowell, USAF (Ret.) March 2, 2015 I first met Bill in 1968 at Eglin AFB where he was the NCOIC of the Flight Engineer School for the HH-53B Helicopter. I also had contact with him during his time at HQ ARRS. Bill will be missed by many that knew him as a mentor and friend during his time in the USAF. May he be at peace with his God! ~ John Mahoney March 2, 2015 While I never served with CMSgt Warren, I am well aware of his long and outstanding service to our country and the U.S. Air Force -- my sincerest condolences to Bill's many friends and family -- may he long rest in peace -- ~ Jay M Strayer, Colonel, USAF (Ret) March 2, 2015 I served with Bill in the early Viet-Nam war days at Udorn, Thailand. He taught me many things about both Rescue and the Jolly Green Giant helicopters. He was a great supervisor and friend, well liked by all. My sincere condolences to both family and friends. He will be missed greatly! ~ Floyd (Buck) Watson, CMSgt Retired March 2, 2015 Sue you know how much I loved you both. Bill was a major part of my military life I too have lost a family member . God bless us all. ~ Baylor March 2, 2015 It has been an honor to share the Jolly Green experiences with Bill. He will be missed! ~ Jim Miears March 2, 2015 Bill served his country with honor in war and peace and continued to serve his brotherhood of the USAF helicopter community throughout his life. His efforts to continue the brotherhood of the helicopter community and preserve the history of “Jolly Green” operations as well as other histories of USAF helicopter activities has been of great benefit to all who shared the USAF helicopter experiences. May God comfort and protect the Warren family. I offer my slow “Hand Salute”. May God rest his soul. ~ Jim Burns, SMSgt. USAF (retired) March 1, 2015 Bill, You will be deeply missed. You and Jules Smith were my mentors when I was a young Airman in the US Air Force, to include, you always provided guidance to me while attending all the Air Force Ball of Mid America's for the Air Force Association. Then later in life, I was further introduced to Freemasonry and becoming a Shriner because I again asked for your guidance and knowledge. Thank You for helping me become a Great Man, You are always Family, a Brother and a US Veteran Hero. You will be missed! ~ Mike Froncheck
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"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE" ~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~ "HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY ~NEVER FORGOTTEN~ |
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