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William Dana Obituary
NASA test pilot, passed away on May 6, 2014 at age 83.
Dana began his distinguished 40-year career at NASA on October 1, 1958, NASA's first day of existence.
As a NASA test pilot, Dana was involved in some of the most significant aeronautical research programs carried out at NASA's Neil Armstrong Research Center, flying more than 60 different aircraft. Most notably, Dana was a project pilot on the hypersonic X-15 research aircraft, flying the rocket-powered vehicle 16 times, reaching a top speed of 3,897 mph and a peak altitude of 307,000 feet (nearly 59 miles high).
Dana was born on November 3, 1930 in Pasadena, California to Drexler Dana and the former Rose Jourdan. He graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1948 and the U.S. Military Academy in 1952 and earned his Master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1958.
In 1962, he married Judi Miller. They have four children, Sidney Sparks, Matt Dana (Krista), Jan Sieving (Mark), and Leslie Kirby (Shawn) and seven grandchildren; Eric, Lisa, Nick, Jenna, Devon, Kayla and Andrew. The Danas lived in Tehachapi, California for more than 35 years until moving to the Phoenix area in 2009. Dana is also survived by a sister, Toni Dunrud and her husband Rich.
Funeral services will be held May 20 at 10:00 a.m. at the Lancaster, California United Methodist Church. Donations can be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation www.pdf.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Dana
Lena Williams
February 1, 2015
Rest in peace.
M. Adams
May 31, 2014
Deep peace and kind wishes, for Bill and family.
Our thoughts are with you!
Pam Fink
May 29, 2014
Dear Judi, this is Pam Wycoff Fink. I'm so sorry to hear of Bill's passing and wondered how to get in touch with you. I pray all your wonderful memories help comfort you and your family. I live in Kingman, AZ and my phone is 928.716.7577. I have stayed in contact with several WONASA gals. With the Lord's blessing on you, Pam Wycoff Fink
May 15, 2014
Dearest Judi and Family: We are thinking of you now and will be in touch again soon. We're so very sad at Bill's passing. Sidney and Ted and sons
May 14, 2014
My sincere condolences to the Dana family. God is aware of your pain and can provide comfort. He invites you to draw close to Him and He will draw close to you. James 4:8
Nancy Skoglund
May 13, 2014
Judi and family, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rachel
May 12, 2014
I send my deepest condolences to your family. May God be with you in your time of grief.
JJ
May 12, 2014
My condolences to the family. May God comfort you in this time of grief.
May 12, 2014
Bill, wife Judy, and girls were my Tehachapi "All time" favorites. Bill and family are definitely in my thoughts and prayers at this time. I loved Bill for his easy going ways, listening abilities, and humble demeanor. He and his family have been truly missed in our community since there move to Phoenix.
May 11, 2014
My heartfelt prayers are with your family.. Psalms 56:8
John Hawkins
May 10, 2014
Grew up in the 60's with the space race. One of my models back in the day was a X-15.
Very sorry for your loss. Mr. Dana was one those guys behind the scenes when we were moving quickly in the age of areospace.
May 10, 2014
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family at this most difficult time. Please be assured that God will help you cope with your loss.
TF
May 10, 2014
To the friends and family of Bill. He was loved by you and loved you deeply. We are sorry to hear of Bill's falling asleep in death.
We're all of the same train in life, but those who are in the sleeper car are awaiting to be resurrected to a peaceful new world. Where no one will be sick, no pain, or not growing old and die. Bill will return to the vigor of his youth.
May 10, 2014
CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF MR.DANA,,GOD HAS SAID"HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO MOURN,SINCE THEY WILL BE COMFORTED."MATT.5:4.......
Bankston
May 10, 2014
Dear Dana family and friends we offer our condolences.Draw close to God during this difficult time - James 4 : 8.
June Armstrong Hoffman
May 9, 2014
Our sympathy is extended to the entire family of Bill Dana. Bill was such a good friend of my brother, Neil, and he spoke of him often. They are now "brother" stars in the heavens and we have the privilege of seeing them, thus we can smile and laugh and know all is well. Bill was a dedicated aviator, well respected by his peers and a credit of magnitude to our world.
Brenda
May 9, 2014
I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a well-respected man and outstanding pilot. May God comfort the Dana family and grant you peace during this difficult time. Hold on to your fond memories of Bill and know that he is precious in God's eyes.
HB.
May 9, 2014
My condolences to the family.He will never be forgotten. May you find comfort in the hope of being reunited with your dead loved one in the near future.(5:28,29)
SHORTY KOPPELMAN
May 9, 2014
the glorious Koppelman's loved you..Be with our lord and savior...Jesus Christ
May 9, 2014
Off he goes, into the wild blue yonder . . . now to his biggest adventure! Thanks for your service Sir, RIP!
Cheryl Hathaway
May 9, 2014
I am ashamed to admit that I thought this was the Bill Dana who used to be on television comedy shows with the popular line,"My name Jose Jimenes." This Bill Dana has an most impressive resume and sounds like he was well-respected and a good guy. Sorry for his loss.
Walter Gray Parks
May 8, 2014
Harvey, as Bill was called at West Point, was my roommate during our first summer of training, which we called Beast Barracks. I recall that he worked very hard to get every thing to perfection as was expected of us. I followed many of his successes as a test pilot with a certain pride for having known him.
Gray Parks, Classmate
Eugene Kotchick
May 8, 2014
I worked with Bill for years at FRC NASA Edwards and he was one of the finest gentleman you could be associated with. See you in heaven Bill and thanks for the friendship of over 50 years. Gene Kotchick
Iris Thomas
May 8, 2014
Sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with your family at this sad time. Please read 1Cor: 3,4.
Orlando
May 8, 2014
Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. Although he is no longer among us, His work is highly appreciated in history as well. However, I can only imagine what the family are going through now. (Philippians 1:2) May you have undeserved kindness and peace from God our heavenly Father.
Peter Laubscher
May 8, 2014
Rest in Peace brave pioneer. Thank you for all you have done to bring forward the future. Salute
Cheryl Bean
May 8, 2014
Thank you for your stellar service for America, for those yet to be born. Prayers for your friends and family!!
May 8, 2014
i don't know Mr. Dana but sincere regrets to his family and friends. He sounds like a man of great interest. he had the RIGHT STUFF! i can tell.
Edward Ferrett
May 8, 2014
May your flight with the angles be as exciting as it was on earth.
May 8, 2014
My condolences to the Dana Family and may the peace of God be with you during this time of sorrow (Philippians 4:7) ~ Lwd
Janet & Steve
May 8, 2014
We pray his family will find peace through this time of deep loss. His spirit has now soared to greater heights than he ever knew. Go with God, sir.
John Delaney
May 8, 2014
High Flight
"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
Where never lark, or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
- Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."
Rest in Peace, Sir
Shannon & John Christensen
May 8, 2014
Deepest sympathy to the Dana family. Uncle Bill was a hero and loving man, who will be missed. Sending our prayers and sympathy for the family's loss.
becca helen
May 8, 2014
Our history books should have this obituary in it. It is a testimony that may inspire our youth. Service to country, pride, dignity, and character, along with a good dose of humility. Godspeed. Your family must be so very proud of your legacy.
May 8, 2014
may his soul rest in peace
B Lucas
May 8, 2014
Sorry for your loss may God bless your family with peace and kindness. (Heb 11:35)
May 8, 2014
May the god of all comfort prove to be with you in your time of grief.
May 8, 2014
With deepest sympathy to the Dana family.
May the Hearer of Prayer (Psalm 83:18;Psalm 65:2) grant you the needed sttrength, courage and the sweetest peace during your time of grief.
Juanita, Jacksonville, Fla.
JPW
May 8, 2014
To the Family of Bill Dana, please know you are not alone, you have the loving support of your family. But most importantly, you can receive much comfort from the God of all comfort because he cares for you. He is close to the brokenhearted.
May 8, 2014
my deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved bill. may you find comfort for God will wipe away the tears from all faces -Isaiah25:8
May 8, 2014
With deepest condolences. We are never prepared for such a deep loss so I hope you find some comfort in the memories & joys you had and know sickness, pain and death that we deal with now will one day be no more for this has been promised to us.
May 8, 2014
So sorry for your loss. One day soon we never have to worry about death taking any of our dearly loved ones. Almighty God soon will redeem those who has fallen asleep in death.
(Hosea 13:14)
A
May 8, 2014
My condolences to the family. May you all find comfort by drawing close to God. James 4:8
May 8, 2014
So sorry for your loss, may God of Comfort , comfort all in these difficult times .
2 Cor. 1::4 who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God.
May 7, 2014
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.
Vivian
May 7, 2014
Please find peace in knowing that God understand your grief & cares. 1Peter 5:6,7
carmen bray
May 7, 2014
To the Dana family: Many thoughts are with you and each one brings a prayer, that you will know God's comfort during this time of despair. (John 14:18)
Patricia Wynne
May 7, 2014
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Dana's passing.To his Family and Friends, please accept my deepest condolences. May God wrap his arms tightly around each of you and give you strength.
michelle plakas-kaiser
May 7, 2014
rip
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