Cover photo for William A. "Bill" Boutwell's Obituary
William A. "Bill" Boutwell Profile Photo

William A. "Bill" Boutwell

October 20, 1924 — September 26, 2012

William A. "Bill" Boutwell

Colonel William A. “Bill” Boutwell, USAF Retired, took his final flight and was called to the Lord on Thursday September 26, 2012 at the age of 87. Col. Boutwell was born on October 20, 1924 in Sontag, Mississippi to W.S. and Rosa Schaeffer Boutwell. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1942. Col. Boutwell joined the aviation cadet program in 1943 and was awarded his wings and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in November 1944. He first flew a B-17 Bomber and later a B-29 Bomber. He was on his way to Guam when the Japanese surrendered. He went on to fly night missions during the Korean War in a B-26 bomber. During the Cuban Missile Crisis he was flying an F-84F and he also served in Vietnam flying support missions in a C-47. Boutwell served as a training adviser to the German Air Force and flew the F-104. In 1971, Col. Boutwell was the Commander of the 3650th Pilot Training Wing at Columbus Air Force Base. He came home to Keesler Air Force Base in 1972 where he served as the Vice-Commander. During his career, Col. Boutwell logged more than 9,000 hours in 33 different aircraft. Boutwell was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He married the love of his life Velma Elaine Fokken of Kingsley, Iowa in 1947. They had two daughters, Teresa and Lana. The family enjoyed the Air Force lifestyle and the opportunity to live and travel extensively in the United States and abroad. Boutwell retired in 1974 with 31 years of service. After retirement, Col. Boutwell was proud to called Biloxi home, where he worked in real estate. He enjoyed spending time with his family and had a passion for fishing and bird hunting. He loved to sit on his porch and watch the beautiful sunsets over the water of the Biloxi Back Bay. Some of Col. Boutwell’s most distinguished awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Metal with six oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit Medal. Colonel Boutwell was one of the five founding members of the Biloxi/Gulfport Hanger of the Secret and Ancient Order of Quiet Birdmen (QB’s). QB is the oldest honorary pilot’s association in the world. He was also a member of the Order of Daedalians at Keesler AFB, a fraternal organization of military pilots founded in 1934, which promotes leadership in air and space power. Col. Boutwell was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Eunice Boutwell and a brother, Guy Boutwell. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Velma Fokken Boutwell, their two daughters, Terri Boutwell Aven of Biloxi and Lana Boutwell Holliday (John) of Gulfport; five grandchildren, Jennifer Holliday Lonergan (Sean) of Dallas, Texas, William Aven and Alicia Aven, both of Biloxi, Whitney Holliday, and Alyson Holliday, both of Gulfport, a great-grandson, aka his "little buddy", Connor Lonergan; a brother, Carl G. Boutwell (Mary Lee) of Magee; two sisters, Evelena B. Frazier and Rose B. Britt (Welton) of Brookhaven. A celebration of Colonel William Boutwell’s life will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at First United Methodist Church of Gulfport at 1:00 p.m. where friends may visit from 11:30 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to MGC Honor Flight , C/O Kiwanis Division 14 Foundation, 2000 24th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501 or to the First United Methodist Church of Gulfport, 2301 15th St. Gulfport, MS 39501. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 2511 Pass Road, in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.
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Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, October 4, 2012

11:30am - 1:00 pm

First United Methodist Church of Gulfport

2301 15th St., Gulfport, MS 39501

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Service

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Starts at 1:00 pm

First United Methodist Church of Gulfport

2301 15th St., Gulfport, MS 39501

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Cemetery

Biloxi National Cemetery

400 Veterans Ave., Biloxi, MS 39531

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