Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
William Fife Obituary
William Paul Fife, 90, Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University and long time Bryan resident died Monday, October 13, 2008, after a long illness.
A memorial service is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, October 18, at Memorial Funeral Chapel, College Station, Texas Avenue South. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. An internment service will be held at Monte Vista Burial Park, Johnson City, Tennessee on Saturday, October 25th.
He was born November 23, 1917 in Plymouth, Indiana and married Anna Hoss of Johnson City, Tenn., in 1946. He received a B.S. in anatomy from the University of Washington. His medical school career was interrupted by WWII, however, he completed a PhD in physiology at Ohio State in 1960.
Col. Fife retired from the Air Force after 30 years of active duty which began with the 503rd parachute infantry in the South Pacific. He served during the Korean Conflict.
He attended the Defense Language Institute (Russian) in 1948 and in 2006, he was among the first inductees to the Defense Language Institute Hall of Fame.
He is considered the "Father of Airborne Intercept." He planned and flew the first USAF Security Service reconnaissance mission in 1949, being the first person to put a radio receiver on an air plane. He served in military intelligence as a Russian expert, stationed in Moscow from 1954 to 1956 and in 2006 was inducted into the Air Intelligence Agency Hall of Honor.
In addition to many other awards, he was a recipient of the Legion of Merit. He was Assistant Chief of the Aerospace Medical Research Division at Brooks Field Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, performing research essential to the space race in G-force survival.
Dr. Fife joined the TAMU faculty in 1967 and served as the Chairman of the Biology Department, Dean of Research and Vice President for Academic Affairs, retiring in 1997. A pioneer in undersea medicine, he was director of the TAMU Hyperbaric laboratory performing record breaking deep diving research using Hydrogen Oxygen mixtures, and medical research in the field of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
He received TAMU's prestigious teaching award and the Duke of Edinburgh award, presented by H.R.H. Prince Phillip, for work performed with colleagues in Britain.
He was predeceased by his infant son, William Paul Fife, Jr.
Survivors include his wife Ann, of 62 years; daughters and sons-in-law, Julia Ann Fife of Severna Park, Md., husband, Donald Welch, PhD, and Caroline Esther Fife, MD of The Woodlands, Texas, husband Alan G. Moore, Md.; five grandchildren, Anna Welch Baez, Deborah Welch, Megan Moore Peykoff, Laura Kathryn Moore, and William Marcus Moore; great-grandson, Nelson Baez, III.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Emmanuel School of Religion William P. Fife Military Chaplaincy Scholarship, One Walker Drive, Johnson City, Tennessee 37601.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Fife
Gregory Boland
February 25, 2019
Only just discovered Bill's passing, although anticipated. Bill was a mentor in my graduate student days working with Dr. Tom Bright at Texas A&M University College Station between 1974 and 1978. He was gracious in teaching his formidable experience in diving and hyperbaric science. I, along with other graduate students at the time made many dives in the off-campus TAMU hyperbaric chamber as well as going through his first hyperbaric chamber operators course during those early years. Condolences to Caroline who I only met a few times. I am retired now, but Bill was one of the significant connections that led to my 40-year biological oceanography career and over 2,000 scientific dives that began with Dr. Fife's scientific diving certification cards (long before AAUS existed!).
Mary Edna Dorsey
October 18, 2008
To Mrs. Fife, Julia and Caroline,
Bless you in the days ahead and remember only happy times.
Lynn & Curtis Walker
October 17, 2008
To the Fife Family,
I never personally met Dr. Fife, but he was a tremendous mentor to our son, David Walker. David spoke of him fondly and with great respect. He gave him a passion for hynerbaric therapy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Judith Edmiston
October 17, 2008
I'll remember Dr. Fife as the true statesman he was in the administration of academic affairs at TAMU, as champion for the very best causes, and as a mentor. I took to heart his advice: "if it's right to do, go ahead with it, and [if necessary] beg forgiveness later," a different sort of encouragement to trust one's own judgement. Bon Voyage, Colonel. I am proud to have known you.
Karen (Sims) Coleman
October 17, 2008
Caroline,
I'm sorry for your loss.
Stacie Stehle-Storrie
October 17, 2008
I am going to miss seeing Col. Fife's angelic face...I never heard him speak, but just the way he looked at you spoke volumes! What a dear man.
The American Legion Earl Graham Post 159
October 16, 2008
To express our deep sympathy to you in your loss. We thank Dr. Fife for serving our country in the U.S. Army during WW II & then the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict & retiring from the Air Force as a Colonel. He was a member of "the greatest generation". May God's Speed Be With You Soldier & Airman.
We also thank you for being a member of the American Legion. It is our privilege to provide your final military honors at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station.
cjo
Mary Wicksten
October 16, 2008
Dr. Fife was instrumental in establishing a safe scientific diving program at Texas A&M University. His courses were valuable for faculty as well as students. He was a stickler for professionalism but a gentleman at heart. My condolences to his friends and family.
Kim Parker
October 16, 2008
It has been a pleasure knowing and caring for Dr. Fife. He will be truely missed. Kim Parker SJM
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results
Make a Donation
in William Fife's name
Memorial Events
for William Fife
Funeral services provided by:
Memorial Funeral Chapel - College Station2901 Texas Ave South, College Station, TX 77845
How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor William Fife's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
