Col. William 'Bill" Pennington USAF RET passed away at 4;54 a.m. Friday December 9, 2011 at Freeman West Hospital.

Col. Pennington was born November 1, 1922 in Topeka, Kansas. to the late Jessie Pennington and Lucille Campbell Pennington. He had lived in Joplin the past seven years, moving from Colorado Springs Colorado, where he made his home for 40 years.

Col. Pennington served 27 years active duty with the United States Air Force. He flew different styles of aircraft in three different wars- World War 11' Korea and the Vietnam War. He was also a 30 year veteran of the Air Force Reserves.

Following his retirement Bill was CEO for Western Horseman Magazine in Colorado Springs Colorado. Bill was a member of the Military Officers Association; the Quiet Birdmen Association and the American Legion.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie on February 1, 2006.

Survivors include his son, John W. Pennington Rockville Maryland, a daughter, Mary D DeLeon and husband Daniel, Joplin' five grandchildren, Carrie O'Keefe, Sherri Bryant, Patrick Pennington, Denise Robertshaw, Lisa Gibbons, six great grandchildren and one greatgreatgrandson.

Graveside services will be Tuesday at 2p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery with Pastor Bob Warren officiating. Military honors will be conducted by Whitman Air Force Base. T he family will receive friends Monday from 6-7p.m. at Parker Mortuary.

Col. William 'Bill" Pennington USAF RET passed away at 4;54 a.m. Friday December 9, 2011 at Freeman West Hospital.

Col. Pennington was born November 1, 1922 in Topeka, Kansas. to the late Jessie Pennington and Lucille Campbell Pennington. He had lived in Joplin the past seven years, moving from Colorado Springs Colorado, where he made his home for 40 years.

Col. Pennington served 27 years active duty with the United States Air Force. He flew different styles of aircraft in three different wars- World War 11' Korea and the Vietnam War. He was also a 30 year veteran of the Air Force Reserves.

Following his retirement Bill was CEO for Western Horseman Magazine in Colorado Springs Colorado. Bill was a member of the Military Officers Association; the Quiet Birdmen Association and the American Legion.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie on February 1, 2006.

Survivors include his son, John W. Pennington Rockville Maryland, a daughter, Mary D DeLeon and husband Daniel, Joplin' five grandchildren, Carrie O'Keefe, Sherri Bryant, Patrick Pennington, Denise Robertshaw, Lisa Gibbons, six great grandchildren and one greatgreatgrandson.

Graveside services will be Tuesday at 2p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery with Pastor Bob Warren officiating. Military honors will be conducted by Whitman Air Force Base. T he family will receive friends Monday from 6-7p.m. at Parker Mortuary.