After a prolonged and courageous struggle with cancer, Colonel William E. Missildine, another valiant, highly decorated American Warrior, fought his last battle on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, with his wife Rita of 49 years by his side.
Bill entered the Army after graduating from Marietta High School in Georgia. He was selected to attend the Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was commissioned as a Second Lt. of Infantry at the age of 20. He went on to complete the Airborne and Ranger Schools. He continued his education in the military, ultimately attending Senior Service College at Ft McNair in Washington D.C. He also qualified for a Bachelor of Science in business management with honors, and a master's degree in business management while on active duty.
He started his career as a platoon leader with 40 men in the 101st Airborne Division, and commanded from all level from company, battalion, and brigade level with over 2,000 troops.
His assignments took him from Ft. Campbell to Berlin, to the Presidential Honor Guard at Ft. Myer. He had the honor of serving as the White House Social Aide to President John F. Kennedy. His other assignments included 30 months of combat in Vietnam. He served on the Army Staff, and the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. His final assignment was the Commander of the Southwest of the Southeast Region Recruiting Command at Ft Glillem, Ga.
His decorations, medals, and badges include Airborne Wings, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, two Legions Merit, three Bronze Stars with the V for valor, the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Meritorious Service Medals, and three Army Commendation Medals.
After retiring from the military, Bill became active as a Motivational Speaker for an international company out of Fort Worth, Texas. He gave over 1,500 seminars. He also dedicated himself to serving his communities, including coaching youth football and soccer. He has served as chairman of several committees, and a president of two different Golf Associations. He served on the board of the Florida State Golf Association as a course rater, and a Committee Member for significant golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open and Qualifying Tournaments.
Bill and his wife Rita shared a passion for golf, tennis, family, and friends. Other interests included dancing and traveling, and enjoying life together with friends.
Bill leaves behind his dearest friend and wife, Rita. They met at Ft. Benning Ga., and it was love at first sight. He is also survived by his daughter GiGi, who brought him his delightful granddaughter Ava, and his son Lance and his wife Jennifer, who gave him two fine grandsons, Mitch and Colt. He was preceded in death by his Father and Mother and Brother.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. at the Destin United Methodist Church at 200 Beach Road, Destin. A reception at the church will follow immediately after the service. All are invited.
Flowers are welcome, but in lieu of flowers a donation to the American Cancer Society in Bill's name would be very much appreciated.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Grand Boulevard for the care they provided, and as well for all of the love and support of family and friends.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.twincitiescremationsfunerals.com/
Published Online in Northwest Florida Daily News from Oct. 28 to Oct. 29, 2012
Bill entered the Army after graduating from Marietta High School in Georgia. He was selected to attend the Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was commissioned as a Second Lt. of Infantry at the age of 20. He went on to complete the Airborne and Ranger Schools. He continued his education in the military, ultimately attending Senior Service College at Ft McNair in Washington D.C. He also qualified for a Bachelor of Science in business management with honors, and a master's degree in business management while on active duty.
He started his career as a platoon leader with 40 men in the 101st Airborne Division, and commanded from all level from company, battalion, and brigade level with over 2,000 troops.
His assignments took him from Ft. Campbell to Berlin, to the Presidential Honor Guard at Ft. Myer. He had the honor of serving as the White House Social Aide to President John F. Kennedy. His other assignments included 30 months of combat in Vietnam. He served on the Army Staff, and the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. His final assignment was the Commander of the Southwest of the Southeast Region Recruiting Command at Ft Glillem, Ga.
His decorations, medals, and badges include Airborne Wings, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, two Legions Merit, three Bronze Stars with the V for valor, the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Meritorious Service Medals, and three Army Commendation Medals.
After retiring from the military, Bill became active as a Motivational Speaker for an international company out of Fort Worth, Texas. He gave over 1,500 seminars. He also dedicated himself to serving his communities, including coaching youth football and soccer. He has served as chairman of several committees, and a president of two different Golf Associations. He served on the board of the Florida State Golf Association as a course rater, and a Committee Member for significant golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open and Qualifying Tournaments.
Bill and his wife Rita shared a passion for golf, tennis, family, and friends. Other interests included dancing and traveling, and enjoying life together with friends.
Bill leaves behind his dearest friend and wife, Rita. They met at Ft. Benning Ga., and it was love at first sight. He is also survived by his daughter GiGi, who brought him his delightful granddaughter Ava, and his son Lance and his wife Jennifer, who gave him two fine grandsons, Mitch and Colt. He was preceded in death by his Father and Mother and Brother.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. at the Destin United Methodist Church at 200 Beach Road, Destin. A reception at the church will follow immediately after the service. All are invited.
Flowers are welcome, but in lieu of flowers a donation to the American Cancer Society in Bill's name would be very much appreciated.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Grand Boulevard for the care they provided, and as well for all of the love and support of family and friends.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.twincitiescremationsfunerals.com/
Published Online in Northwest Florida Daily News from Oct. 28 to Oct. 29, 2012
After a prolonged and courageous struggle with cancer, Colonel William E. Missildine, another valiant, highly decorated American Warrior, fought his last battle on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, with his wife Rita of 49 years by his side.
Bill entered the Army after graduating from Marietta High School in Georgia. He was selected to attend the Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was commissioned as a Second Lt. of Infantry at the age of 20. He went on to complete the Airborne and Ranger Schools. He continued his education in the military, ultimately attending Senior Service College at Ft McNair in Washington D.C. He also qualified for a Bachelor of Science in business management with honors, and a master's degree in business management while on active duty.
He started his career as a platoon leader with 40 men in the 101st Airborne Division, and commanded from all level from company, battalion, and brigade level with over 2,000 troops.
His assignments took him from Ft. Campbell to Berlin, to the Presidential Honor Guard at Ft. Myer. He had the honor of serving as the White House Social Aide to President John F. Kennedy. His other assignments included 30 months of combat in Vietnam. He served on the Army Staff, and the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. His final assignment was the Commander of the Southwest of the Southeast Region Recruiting Command at Ft Glillem, Ga.
His decorations, medals, and badges include Airborne Wings, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, two Legions Merit, three Bronze Stars with the V for valor, the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Meritorious Service Medals, and three Army Commendation Medals.
After retiring from the military, Bill became active as a Motivational Speaker for an international company out of Fort Worth, Texas. He gave over 1,500 seminars. He also dedicated himself to serving his communities, including coaching youth football and soccer. He has served as chairman of several committees, and a president of two different Golf Associations. He served on the board of the Florida State Golf Association as a course rater, and a Committee Member for significant golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open and Qualifying Tournaments.
Bill and his wife Rita shared a passion for golf, tennis, family, and friends. Other interests included dancing and traveling, and enjoying life together with friends.
Bill leaves behind his dearest friend and wife, Rita. They met at Ft. Benning Ga., and it was love at first sight. He is also survived by his daughter GiGi, who brought him his delightful granddaughter Ava, and his son Lance and his wife Jennifer, who gave him two fine grandsons, Mitch and Colt. He was preceded in death by his Father and Mother and Brother.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. at the Destin United Methodist Church at 200 Beach Road, Destin. A reception at the church will follow immediately after the service. All are invited.
Flowers are welcome, but in lieu of flowers a donation to the American Cancer Society in Bill's name would be very much appreciated.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Grand Boulevard for the care they provided, and as well for all of the love and support of family and friends.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.twincitiescremationsfunerals.com/
Published Online in Northwest Florida Daily News from Oct. 28 to Oct. 29, 2012
Bill entered the Army after graduating from Marietta High School in Georgia. He was selected to attend the Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was commissioned as a Second Lt. of Infantry at the age of 20. He went on to complete the Airborne and Ranger Schools. He continued his education in the military, ultimately attending Senior Service College at Ft McNair in Washington D.C. He also qualified for a Bachelor of Science in business management with honors, and a master's degree in business management while on active duty.
He started his career as a platoon leader with 40 men in the 101st Airborne Division, and commanded from all level from company, battalion, and brigade level with over 2,000 troops.
His assignments took him from Ft. Campbell to Berlin, to the Presidential Honor Guard at Ft. Myer. He had the honor of serving as the White House Social Aide to President John F. Kennedy. His other assignments included 30 months of combat in Vietnam. He served on the Army Staff, and the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. His final assignment was the Commander of the Southwest of the Southeast Region Recruiting Command at Ft Glillem, Ga.
His decorations, medals, and badges include Airborne Wings, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, two Legions Merit, three Bronze Stars with the V for valor, the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Meritorious Service Medals, and three Army Commendation Medals.
After retiring from the military, Bill became active as a Motivational Speaker for an international company out of Fort Worth, Texas. He gave over 1,500 seminars. He also dedicated himself to serving his communities, including coaching youth football and soccer. He has served as chairman of several committees, and a president of two different Golf Associations. He served on the board of the Florida State Golf Association as a course rater, and a Committee Member for significant golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open and Qualifying Tournaments.
Bill and his wife Rita shared a passion for golf, tennis, family, and friends. Other interests included dancing and traveling, and enjoying life together with friends.
Bill leaves behind his dearest friend and wife, Rita. They met at Ft. Benning Ga., and it was love at first sight. He is also survived by his daughter GiGi, who brought him his delightful granddaughter Ava, and his son Lance and his wife Jennifer, who gave him two fine grandsons, Mitch and Colt. He was preceded in death by his Father and Mother and Brother.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. at the Destin United Methodist Church at 200 Beach Road, Destin. A reception at the church will follow immediately after the service. All are invited.
Flowers are welcome, but in lieu of flowers a donation to the American Cancer Society in Bill's name would be very much appreciated.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Grand Boulevard for the care they provided, and as well for all of the love and support of family and friends.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.twincitiescremationsfunerals.com/
Published Online in Northwest Florida Daily News from Oct. 28 to Oct. 29, 2012
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