LtCol Bill Pachura USAF (Ret)

Bill Pachura had a lifetime involvement with flight, including a distinguished career in the US Air Force as well as in production of advanced avionics.
Over his 26 year career in the Air Force (1953-1979), Bill flew a variety of different planes. After three years as an instructor pilot in the B-25 and T-33, he flew the RB-66C and WB-66D as a reconnaissance pilot for four years. Later Bill flew over 1000 hours in the F-105, most notably flying over 100 missions in southeast Asia in the F-105D as a member of the 355th TFW (357th TFS) based at Takhli Royal Thai Air Base. Bill also served as an International Logistics Officer and Advisor to the Japanese Air Self Defense Force. During his career he earned 15 Air Medals, 1 Commendation Medal, and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses.
After retiring from the Air Force, Bill worked with Westinghouse Electric (Md) on the E3A-AWACS and other advanced avionics systems. He was very excited about flight and automotive maintenance through the remainder of his life. In 2002 Bill was reunited with the "Red River Queen", the specific F-105 which had been assigned to him at Takhli (tail number 62-4318). In 2006 the Red River Queen will be placed on permanent display in Bill's hometown, in honor of his accomplishments. Bill was survived by his wife Jody, four children (David, PaUl, Mary, and Martha), their spouses (Becky, Sherry, Gerry Vaerewyck, and Scott Hull), and eight grandchildren (Danny, Tommy, Andy, Richard, Joseph, Robert, Shannon, and Erin).