William M. Myers
1936-2018
A beloved husband, father, brother and friend, William M. “Bill” Myers, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 23, 2018, at home in Huntley, IL, surrounded by his family.
Born in Davenport, IA, on June 17, 1936, he was a graduate of Culver Military Academy in Culver, IN. He earned a degree in Chemistry from Knox College in Galesburg, IL, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
He served in the U.S. Army for 8 years as a Captain, Infantry Unit Commander and Platoon Leader. First stationed at Ft. Benning, GA, his service took him to Vietnam early in the conflict and later, Okinawa, Japan, where he served as a Green Beret with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). He received a Parachute Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), and Viet Nam Service Medal.
An accomplished aviator, he learned to fly in the early 1960’s. He amassed nearly 20,000 hours of flight experience in everything from small, single-engine airplanes up to the Boeing 747. He held almost every available FAA pilot certificate and rating.
He joined United Airlines near the end of the piston airliner era as a flight engineer on the DC-6. Over the course of his 30-year career, he flew throughout the United States and all over the world, retiring in 1996 as a Captain flying the DC-10.
Following his career with United, he had a 2nd career as an Air Carrier Inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where he enjoyed seeing the aviation industry from a different perspective.
A life-long mariner, boating was one of his greatest passions. Whether day trips on Lake Geneva, Lake Michigan crossings or leading sailing trips in the Caribbean, he loved being on the water for the social time that boating created with family & friends.
He was a member of the US Power Squadron since 1956. Sharing his passion with others, he volunteered his time serving the organization where he taught boating classes and promoted safe boating for many years. He was elected District Commander of the Fox Valley (IL) Power Squadron and led the organization in the region before retiring in 2007.
He married the love of his life, Ceil, in 1999.
He’ll be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. A “salt of the earth” guy, he was wise, genuine, honest, loyal, humble and hard-working. A teacher and mentor to many, he always found the good in things. Even through health struggles later in life, he never complained and was always upbeat, happy and grateful.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Virginia, Marian, and one brother, Richard.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Cecile Myers; son, Tom Myers (Vicki), Denver, CO; daughter, Jennifer Myers Kendall (Chris), Sydney, Australia; son, Tom Furio (Judi), Orlando, FL; son, Anthony Furio (Paula), Cary, IL; nine grandchildren – and his favorite puppy, Ollie.
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