Colonel William M. Black, United States Air Force, retired, succumbed Saturday, June 11, 2005 after a lengthy bout with Leukemia. He was 85 years old.

Colonel Black entered the U.S. Army aviation cadet program in 1941 and received his commission and his pilot wings on January 2, 1942. He was a fighter pilot and test pilot and flew almost every fighter and twin engine bomber operational in WWII. He was project engineer on the development of air-to-ground rockets which he introduced into operations in China. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for this work. Also, he was project engineer on the first and only air-to-air rocket with a nuclear warhead for which he was awarded the Legion of Merit. He served at Hdq. Air Force; Hq. US Air Forces, Europe; Hq. US European Command; and the Joint Staff as nuclear planner for which he received a second Legion of Merit. He retired in July 1970 as the Inspector General of the Armed Forces Special Weapons Command.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret Joyce Black; three daughters, Susan McCullough and husband, David of Greenwood Village, CO; Deanie Smith and husband, Phillip of McKinney, TX; and Billi Black and husband, Ron Winecoff of Franklin; seven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 18, at First Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Relay for Life, C/O Drake Software/LaDonna Owens, 235 E. Palmer Street, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences available @www.maconfuneralhome.com

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