William Mather's Obituary
MATHER, COL. WILLIAM (USAF, RETIRED) A man of honor, died peacefully at home on February 5th, 2007. Born in Dallas to Vernon and Nannie Mather. William was a graduate of Highland Park High School. He enlisted in the 144th Infantry Regiment of the Texas National Guard and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. William was accepted for pilot training by the Army Air Corps. After earning his wings, he was assigned to the 412th fighter squadron in 9th Air Force as a flight instructor. He flew P-47 Thunderbolts in the European theater during World War II. William participated in numerous missions including D-Day, the Berlin Airlift and the Cuban missile crisis and served during the Korean and Viet Nam wars. He retired as Colonel having earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters. After the Allied victory, William graduated from the University of Maryland and obtained a Masters degree in Business Administration from George Washington University . Col Mather worked as Senior VP of Dallas Federal Savings and Loan, and later as Executive VP of United Services Planning Association. Throughout his life, William remained a strong supporter of organizations dedicated to honoring the military and the sacrifices they made. He was a long-time member of the Air Force Association, the Order of the Daedalians, the P-47 Pilots’ Association, the Dallas Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, the Retired Officer’s Association, and was the personnel officer of the Confederate Air Force. William is survived by wife Susan; 2 sons, Allen and Kirk Mather and 1 daughter, Nancy Valant. The family will accept visitors at Restland Funeral Home from 5-7:00PM, Thursday, February 8, 2007. Services will be 10:00 a.m. at Restland Memorial Chapel. Interment at DFW National at 2:30 p.m.
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