Retired Maj. William H. "Bill" Barker Sr. passed away at his home Sunday evening, Oct. 17, 1999.
Maj. Barker's 26-year career with the U.S. Air Force started in 1939 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He became a fighter pilot with the 428th Fighter Squadron, "The Geyser Gang," flying the P-38 Lightning in the European Theater. He was involved in many campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge, earning numerous medals for his combat missions, including the Air Force Air Medal. During his career, he amassed over 4,000 hours as a command pilot, flying many different types of fighter, bomber and transport aircraft.
Mr. Barker is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ernestine Mapoles Barker; sons, William H. Barker Jr. and David Vern Barker; daughter, Jocelyn McMahan; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded death by his youngest daughter, Nancy.
Mr. Barker was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the 474th Fighter Group alumni. Maj. and Mrs. Barker hosted the 50th anniversary of the Fighter Association at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in 1993.
Services will be conducted Thursday, Oct. 21, at First Methodist Church of Crestview. Visitation will begin at the Sanctuary at 1 p.m., with the service following at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Maj. Barker's 26-year career with the U.S. Air Force started in 1939 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He became a fighter pilot with the 428th Fighter Squadron, "The Geyser Gang," flying the P-38 Lightning in the European Theater. He was involved in many campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge, earning numerous medals for his combat missions, including the Air Force Air Medal. During his career, he amassed over 4,000 hours as a command pilot, flying many different types of fighter, bomber and transport aircraft.
Mr. Barker is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ernestine Mapoles Barker; sons, William H. Barker Jr. and David Vern Barker; daughter, Jocelyn McMahan; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded death by his youngest daughter, Nancy.
Mr. Barker was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the 474th Fighter Group alumni. Maj. and Mrs. Barker hosted the 50th anniversary of the Fighter Association at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in 1993.
Services will be conducted Thursday, Oct. 21, at First Methodist Church of Crestview. Visitation will begin at the Sanctuary at 1 p.m., with the service following at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Retired Maj. William H. "Bill" Barker Sr. passed away at his home Sunday evening, Oct. 17, 1999.
Maj. Barker's 26-year career with the U.S. Air Force started in 1939 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He became a fighter pilot with the 428th Fighter Squadron, "The Geyser Gang," flying the P-38 Lightning in the European Theater. He was involved in many campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge, earning numerous medals for his combat missions, including the Air Force Air Medal. During his career, he amassed over 4,000 hours as a command pilot, flying many different types of fighter, bomber and transport aircraft.
Mr. Barker is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ernestine Mapoles Barker; sons, William H. Barker Jr. and David Vern Barker; daughter, Jocelyn McMahan; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded death by his youngest daughter, Nancy.
Mr. Barker was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the 474th Fighter Group alumni. Maj. and Mrs. Barker hosted the 50th anniversary of the Fighter Association at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in 1993.
Services will be conducted Thursday, Oct. 21, at First Methodist Church of Crestview. Visitation will begin at the Sanctuary at 1 p.m., with the service following at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Maj. Barker's 26-year career with the U.S. Air Force started in 1939 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He became a fighter pilot with the 428th Fighter Squadron, "The Geyser Gang," flying the P-38 Lightning in the European Theater. He was involved in many campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge, earning numerous medals for his combat missions, including the Air Force Air Medal. During his career, he amassed over 4,000 hours as a command pilot, flying many different types of fighter, bomber and transport aircraft.
Mr. Barker is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ernestine Mapoles Barker; sons, William H. Barker Jr. and David Vern Barker; daughter, Jocelyn McMahan; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded death by his youngest daughter, Nancy.
Mr. Barker was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the 474th Fighter Group alumni. Maj. and Mrs. Barker hosted the 50th anniversary of the Fighter Association at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in 1993.
Services will be conducted Thursday, Oct. 21, at First Methodist Church of Crestview. Visitation will begin at the Sanctuary at 1 p.m., with the service following at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Inscription
Maj US Air Force World War II
