CHRISTY A. WEILAND, JR. Final Flight on October 11, 2014
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Christy A. Weiland Jr., USAF (Retired) January 23, 1933 - October 11, 2014
SEDALIA — Christy A. Weiland, Jr., 81 of Sedalia, MO, passed away on October 11, 2014, at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility.
Chris was born January 23, 1933, in Morgantown, WV, son of the late Christy A. Weiland and Goldie Mae Burns Weiland.
He graduated from Morgantown High School in 1951 and attended West Virginia University studying biology and geology, eventually obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Geology from the Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO. Chris continued his geology studies at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, completing a 4 year degree in Geology.
In 1953, Chris enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his military career, Chris was stationed at numerous bases, including Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX; Stead Air Force Base in Reno, NV; Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, MT; Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, MO; and Howard Air Force Base in Panama/Canal Zone. He also served two tours in Vietnam, at Tuy Hoa Air Base, where he was part of the Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron as a helicopter maintenance technician.
In 1968, Chris was selected the 351st Strategic Missile Wing's Pride Man of the Month for exemplary performance. Throughout the years, he received numerous other medals and honors, including a Presidential Unit Citation and Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service for significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of missile support as Maintenance Superintendent of the 37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron Military Airlift Command. His duties involved supervising aircraft mechanics and ensuring quality maintenance. Chris retired from the military in 1980 after serving 26 years as a noncommissioned officer-in-charge.
During his college years in Morgantown, WV, Chris enjoyed spelunking, birding and banding bats. Thereafter, his other lifetime adventures included climbing volcanoes and pyramids in South America, metal detecting, panning for gold in Alaska, and camping. Chris was a competitive player in many games such as pool, chess, checkers, pinnacle, poker, and, in later years, bingo. He served as President of the Missouri State Checker Association for more than 10 years, participating in numerous checker tournaments in the expert class.
Chris also had a compassion for animals and wildlife. He was good hearted and a wonderful father.
Aside from his parents, Chris was preceded in death by his late wife, Mary Ann White Weiland; a sister, Luella Ledford of Cincinnati, OH; a half-brother, Bob Steuzen of Fairview, WV; two aunts, Mary Burns of Morgantown, WV, and Nellie Holiday of Elizabeth, PA; and an uncle, Charlie Burns.
He is survived by his long time mate of 17 years, Betty Kennedy of Sedalia, MO; his first wife of 13 years, Valerie Hershman White of Morgantown, WV; a son, Jeffery A. Weiland of Knob Noster, MO, and daughter, Erica L. McCord of Morgantown, WV.
The family will hold private services at Hastings Funeral Home and a graveside burial with military honors at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Morgantown, West Virginia, aside his parents.
Condolences may be made at hastingsfuneralhome.com
Published in SedaliaDemocrat.com from Oct. 13 to Oct. 14, 2014
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