WILLIAM FITZROY

FITZROY
COLONEL WILLIAM T.
Born April 17, 1920, in Pittsburgh, PA. "Buzz" as he was known by his family and friends, was the first child of Marie and John Finley Fitzroy. Buzz passed away peacefully on February 18, 2017, in Bluffton, SC surrounded by family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta Mae; and his son, Ralph. He is survived by his son, William T. Fitzroy 11; and two daughters, Beverly Fitzroy Hyde and Beth Ann Fitzroy Shearer; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers and two sisters. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941. He was selected for flight training and graduated 2nd Lieutenant in 1943. He transitioned in B-17 training at Moses Lake, Washington. Fitzroy and his crew were assigned to the 100th bomb group in England. They were among the first flight crews to fly deep daylight penetration into Germany without fighter protection. On his 35th mission, Lt. Fitzroy was shot down over Merseburg, Germany, one of the most heavily defended targets of the war. There were eight B-17's shot down that day. Fitzroy successfully parachuted out and was captured on July 30, 1944. He was sent to Stalag Luft 1 at Barth, Germany as a POW until the prison camp was abandoned by the Germans at the completion of the war. He was repatriated in England and returned to Pittsburgh and joined the Air Force Reserve, 375th Troop Carrier Wing until 1958. In March of 1963, he assumed command of the 911th Troop Carrier Group. He retired from the Air Force Reserve in 1975 with the rank of Colonel. Upon his return home after the war, Fitzroy was employed by Bell of Pennsylvania, until his retirement in 1985. During his career, Col. "Buzz" flew PT-17, Bt-13, B-17, B-25, C-47, C-46, C-119, C-124 aircraft. On March 6, 2017, at 1 p.m., Colonel Fitzroy will be interred in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies with full military honors. His son, Ralph and his wife, Roberta will be buried alongside him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be sent to Agape Hospice, 658 Bells Highway, Walterboro, SC 29488.