William Erck's Obituary
ERCK, WILLIAM JAMES, COL., USAF (RET) Passed away on December 20, 2006 at Greenview Manor in Waco, Texas. Bill was born on February 21, 1925 to August William Erck and Esther Mae Ott in Dallas. A 1942 graduate of Highland Park High School, he entered the Army Air Force as an aviation cadet in 1943. He received his wings as a fighter pilot and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on January 7, 1944 at Eagle Pass Army Air Field. Bill served on active duty as Operations Officer of the 79th Fighter Group 12th Air Force, Air Officer for the 24th Army Corps, and as the 58th Fighter Group Commander, and saw action in several theatres of World War II. He flew 100 combat missions and achieved the rank of Captain by 1946. His service has been recognized a meritorious, exceptional and honorable. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation, the World War II Victory Medal, and the American Defense Service Medal. After the war he continued to serve in the Reserve Forces achieving the rank of Colonel. He served as commander of the 181st Fighter Squadron of the Air National Guard at Hensley Field in Dallas and was Commanding Officer of the 136th Fighter Group. He later served as Commander of 8509 Air Force Reserve Recovery Group Oklahoma City, and Commander of 9416 Air Force Reserve Recovery Squadron Ardmore, Ok. He was a member of Highland Park Methodist Church. Bill was a lifelong friend to Texas A&M University. Survived by daughter, Julie Ann Brooks and husband David; son, Douglas Warner Erck and wife Teri, and their mother Danna K. Erck. Other surviving children are William James Erck, Jr., Doreen Samora and husband Roberto, and Lawrence Allen Erck and wife Debbie. Bill is also survived by his brother Curtis Val Erck of Phoenix, AZ. He is preceded in death by his daughter Nancy Marie Brown and his brother Allen William Erck. Services will be held at the DFW National Cemetery at 1:30PM Thursday, December 28, 2006.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?