William T. Harry Jr.

WILLIAM T. HARRY JR. SALEM-Colonel William (Bill) T. Harry Jr. (USAF, retired) passed away September 4, 2009 after a long illness. Born in Suffolk, Va., Col. Harry graduated from high school in Edenton, N.C. He received his B.A. degree in history from North Carolina Wesleyan College and his Masters from Central Michigan University. His distinguished military career of 29 years included flying over 7,000 hours with 257 combat missions in Southeast Asia as a B-52 radar navigator. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, 13 Air Medals and three Air Force Commendation Medals. Following his retirement from the Air force, he worked for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, retiring as a Regional Manager in 2005. Col. Harry was actively involved in numerous capacities in the VFW Post #4389, the Air Force Association, the Valley Veterans Council and the Military Officers Association of America. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Salem. Bill was preceded in death by his father, William T. Harry Sr., a former Floyd County High School principal, and his mother, Esther Parks Harry. He is survived by: his loving and devoted wife, Linda West Harry; his daughter, Suzanne Cipolla, her husband, Rob, and their children, David and Caroline, of Richmond, Va.; and his son, David Harry and his fianc‚e, Linda Arnold, of Flemington, N. J. Bill is also survived by his sister, Nancy Lewis and her husband, Otis, of Lebanon, Ohio; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Esther West, of Roanoke; and sisters-in-law, Joan West Bork and her husband, Casey, of Whitehouse Station, N.J. and Becky West Smythers and her husband, Clyde, of Blacksburg, Va. He also leaves behind many dear nieces and nephews. During his five years battling multiple myeloma/amyloidosis, Bill showed amazing strength and resilience, while never complaining. A gracious, kind gentleman, he will be greatly missed. Although Bill enjoyed numerous hobbies and interests, his lifelong passion was military history, specifically, World War II and military aircraft. A Celebration of Life Memorial was held Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at Oakey's South Chapel, Roanoke, at 4 p.m. Visitation took place from 2 to 4 p.m., prior to the service. Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery November 16 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P. O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 and (888) 773-9958.