William Andrew Singer (1917-2011)

SINGER, JOHNSON, RUSSELL, THOMPSON, OSLER, WARD-ELLIOTT

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/5/2012 at 13:53:54

From Adams & Soderstrum Funeral Home obituary, Story County, Iowa:

William Singer

BORN: April 24, 1917

DIED: June 16, 2011

LOCATION: Yuma, Arizona

William Andrew (Bill) Singer, age 94, of Ames, died as a result of pneumonia on Thursday, June 16, 2011. He was surrounded by his family in Yuma, Arizona. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2011 at the Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Bill was a respected Ames attorney, community leader, decorated veteran, and a devoted family man with an active volunteer spirit.

Bill was born on April 24, 1917, in Lincoln, Nebraska to John A. and Frances L. (Johnson) Singer. They moved to Newton, Iowa in 1927. He graduated from Newton High School, the University of Iowa, and later the University of Iowa Law School. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1942. Following his training Bill was stationed with the 384th Bomb Group at Grafton-Underwood, England. He was lead navigator on the B-17, “Flying Fortress,” until his plane was shot down over Germany during his 17th mission. He was captured and remained a prisoner of war until victory in England was declared. He received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the line of duty.
Bill’s USAF assignments included duty stations in Alabama and Omaha, Nebraska. He remained on active duty during the Korean conflict, serving in the Judge Advocates Office at SAC Headquarters, Omaha, Nebraska. He retired at SAC AFB with the rank of Colonel.
Following World War II Bill married Virginia Russell August 5, 1945, in Ft. Madison, Iowa. They moved to Ames, Iowa where Bill joined the Pasley & Singer Law Firm in September 1948 and practiced civil law until his retirement in 1997, at the age of 75. Bill and Virginia had two children, daughter Lynn Kathryn Thompson of Yuma, Arizona, and son William Andrew of Charlotte, North Carolina. Bill also had two grandchildren Amanda and James, and a great grandson. Virginia preceded him in death Jan. 12, 1987. Bill married Darlene Osler Nov. 3, 1987, Nashville, Tennessee whom he had known from his university days. Darlene preceded Bill in death Aug. 23, 1990. She is survived by her daughter Vicki Ward-Elliott and grandchildren David and Emily. Bill was preceded in death by his two brothers Dr. Rolland Singer, Iowa City, Iowa, and Bud Singer, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Bill was a member of the 384th Bomb Group Association, the American Ex-Prisoner of War Association, and the 8th Air Force Historical Society. Bill was active in several civic groups. He served as President of the Ames Junior Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Bill served as President of the Story County Bar Association and was a Story County Republican Chairman. Bill was very active in the Boy Scouts of Iowa, Campfire Girls of America and was involved in church activities at Collegiate Presbyterian Church. Golf was both his hobby and passion, which allowed him to meet many people both in Ames and in Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Yuma AZ, or Mid-Iowa Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Graveside Service

August 06, 2011
10:30 AM
Ames Municipal Cemetery
9th and Maxwell
Ames, IA 50010

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen