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William Booker Obituary
Booker's family says he died Nov. 30 at a Kirkland, Wash., nursing home after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
Booker served as a navigator and flight engineer on B-25 bombers with the 477th Bombardment Group based at Godman Field, Ky. He flew with all-black crews with pilots trained in Alabama at Tuskegee Institute.
After World War II he worked for Boeing for 34 years. He served 10 years as president of the local Tuskegee Airmen's chapter.
Booker is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dolores, two sons, two daughters and grandchildren.
A memorial will be held Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
81 Entries
Jerry Roquet
December 20, 2013
I worked with Bill on Minuteman for a number of years and traveled with him on company business for Boeing. I was surprised to read of his passing in the Air Force Times this week. I certainly enjoyed his friendship, and he was a great bridge partner!
steele
December 19, 2013
To the family and friends of Mr. Booker you have my deepest sympathy for your loss. Mr. Booker demonstrated that all men are created equal in the eyes of God. We have the ability to use our God given intelligence to do great things. All of this is testimony to the God who created us. May Mr. Booker sleep in peace..
Angela Varagallo
December 19, 2013
Thank you for your service to our country. It is men and women like you that we owe a debt of gratitude to for having the freedom that we have. My symapthies to your family. Rest in peace.
How you can show support
Beverly Taylor
December 18, 2013
Dear Sir Thank You! Now you are back in the skies where you all started.....
Sheila Deinhart
December 16, 2013
Thank You Sir. Men like yourself are one of the main reasons we enjoy our freedom today. I`m sure your enjoying flying up in that big blue sky chasing rainbows and moon beams. God bless You and and all of you're family.
Gayle MacDonald
December 15, 2013
Thank you for your service Mr. Booker. My sympathies to your family and friends and to your illustrious compatriots the Tuskegee Airmen. Rest in peace.
Dwayne Bickham
December 15, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
Brenda McDonald
December 15, 2013
Thank You for your service.May you Rest in Peace Sir.A must see movie and must read book.Memphis, Tn
December 15, 2013
A loved one who has fallen asleep in death. May we seek comfort in the words found at Matthew 5:4
December 14, 2013
Thank you for your service Sir! I read a book about the Tuskeegee Airmen when I was in 2nd grade in 1970. My heart goes out to your family. J. Sampson, USAF, 1981-1985
BARBARA
December 14, 2013
SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. PLEASE BE COMFORTED BY PSALM 94:19
michelle plakas-kaiser
December 14, 2013
rip
December 14, 2013
A life well lived! Let fond memories keep the family strong during these difficult days. Romans 15:33
Hope.
December 14, 2013
You were a witness. Thank You!
Hope
December 14, 2013
Rest in peace Mr. Booker. Thank you for serving our nation with grace. May the Lord bless the entire Booker family.
December 14, 2013
SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS,LET THE THOUGHTS FROM GOD'S WORD SOOTHE YOUR HEARTS."HAPPY ARE THE MERICIFUL,SINCE THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY."...MATT.5"7...NC
b davis
December 14, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Wanda Outlaw
December 14, 2013
Thank you for serving our country and making a way for the generation that followed. May God Bless and strengthen and keep your family in the days to come. Family you have great legacy to very proud of. I will keep you in my prayers.
Bill Crawford
December 13, 2013
Rest In Peace William Booker, and thank's for serving your country during WW2, condolences and prayers go to his wife and the entire family.
Emilie Fujino Hansen
December 13, 2013
My sincere condolences to the Booker family. I was deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Booker's passing. As my high school golf coach, he was a wonderful teacher not only of the game but of life lessons. His kind and wise words I will always hold dear. Rest in peace Mr. Booker, you will truly be missed.
Dianne Cleveland
December 13, 2013
Mr Booker- thank you for your service and your contributions to our nation and community.
Bettye Chandler
December 13, 2013
THANK YOU FOR NOT GIVING UP AND BEING THAT TRAILBLAZER & PAVING THE WAY FOR OTHER TO FOLLOW YOUR SHOES. YOU WILL FOREVER BE A AMERICAN HERO. I PRAY YOUR FAMILY STRENGTH AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOU. AGAIN THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE MAY YOU RIP.
Cloyce A Muckelroy
December 13, 2013
Job Well Done, Life Well Spent!
Twila Murray
December 13, 2013
Thank you Mr. Booker for your bravery and your service to this country.May GOD,bless your loved ones that are still here with us. Rest In Peace Mr. Booker....For your work is done.
Forever Grateful...
December 12, 2013
Thank you for paving our way...
Sheila Warner
December 12, 2013
Mr Booker, thank you for your service to this country. We are losing so many of the Greatest Generation--so sad. You are in my prayers, as is your family. May your brave soul rest in peace.
Bobby Wilcox
December 12, 2013
As a veteran, I say THANK YOU BROTHER! As am American, I am honored to live in the same country as you and your Tuskegee brothers have and do.Blessings to your family.
C. LeGree
December 12, 2013
My condolences to the Booker family.
Always remeber the comforting words of King Solomon 'A good name is better than good oil, and the day of death is better than the day of birth. (Ecclesiastes 7:1) Mr. Booker spent a lifetime making a good name for himself, and the history books can attest to that. He will forever be remebered for his bravery an courage and the love he had for humanity. May his accomplishments and fine reputation also be written in God's "book of remembrance” the most impotant book of all! Malichi 3:16.
May you find comfort and peace in this time.
Colonel (Ret) James A Manning
December 12, 2013
To The Booker Family, my neighbors of many years ago, I express my sincere sympathy on the passing of a gentle giant among men. May he rest eternally at peace.
Cynthia
December 12, 2013
Thank you for your service and breaking through a very unjust area in life. My deepest sympathy to your family. Rest in peace.
Marva Nelson
December 12, 2013
Thanks and God bless for the service you provided to our country. "And angels sing thee to thy rest."
V Shields
December 12, 2013
My condolences to the family of Mr. Booker. May your treasured memories and the drawing close to God help comfort you at this time.
Christine Booker
December 12, 2013
Thank you Mr .Booker may God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
December 12, 2013
A grateful nation thanks you, on so many levels. Our sympathies to your loved ones, may happy memories heal their hearts.
Brenda
December 12, 2013
With heavy hearts and with our deepest sympathy the Carter Family is thinking of you during your time of sorrow. As you hold closely the cherished memories that you shared with William, may God comfort you and grant you inner peace while you "await the hour in which all those in the memorial tomb will hear Jesus' voice and come out." Today, we are remembering William L. Booker and offering our depth-less gratitude for the sacrifice that he made so that African-American everywhere can raise their heads high and feel good about themselves realizing that "God is not partial."
Gail
December 12, 2013
THANK YOU MR. BOOKER - REST IN PEACE
dean sullivan
December 12, 2013
thank you for your service William L. Booker, condolences to your family and friends rest in peace.
December 12, 2013
Thank You, f/your service & helping to dispell another myth, about what we, as a people, couldn't do. Rest now & claim your reward.
T B
December 12, 2013
We owe a great deal to brave men like Mr. Booker. His service, bravery, and pioneering spirit made this country better that those who opposed it at that time!
Jane Dowling
December 12, 2013
Thank you for your service ~ God bless you and your family. Rest in peace ~
Michael Monarch
December 12, 2013
Thank you for your service. You and your airmen served our nation very well may you and your family rest in peace and the creator welcome you with a fine and rewarding statement.
December 12, 2013
Job well done my brother. May you rest in peace.
R. Williams, MD
DStallings
December 12, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Patti R
December 12, 2013
To Mr Booker's family,
My thoughts & prayers go out to you at this most difficult time.
December 12, 2013
Bless him for his service for our country. Thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Tom Andrews
December 12, 2013
Mr. Booker,
Thank you for your service sir. God rest you now. You no longer need man made wings.
Pamela Strong
December 12, 2013
"A good name is better than good oil" says Ecclesiastes 7:1. Mr. Booker made a good name for himself and leaves a cherished legacy. He will not be forgotten.
Marie
December 12, 2013
Well done Mr. Booker.
Holly
December 12, 2013
Rest in peace, Mr. Booker. Thank you for your brave service for our country.
Net
December 12, 2013
Thank you for your great service; especially during a time when blacks were mistreated around the world.
margaret c pauly
December 12, 2013
THANK YOU for your service.God bless
Margaret c pauly
Pottsville,pa
Mark Mounts
December 12, 2013
Mr.Booker,You are now in Gods hands and Thank You very much for your service time and most of all Rest In Peace,you and your Family are in my thoughts.Respectfully Mark Mounts
Gloria Steagall
December 12, 2013
God bless you Mr.William L. Booker for your courageous spirit you paved the way for so many African American mens and womens and thanks to your family members for the support and prayers may God bless your family with love,unity,strength and serenity. Ps 23.
December 12, 2013
RIP Mr. Booker. Another of the Greatest Generation off to see the Lord.
My condolences to his family.
Larry Heck
Indianapolis
victor checketts
December 12, 2013
may god be with the family of this great airman who served his country well during world war II. rest in peace William.
Jim
December 12, 2013
Rest In Piece, and thank you for your service.
Kimberly Brown
December 12, 2013
Thanks for your service and we are praying for the family. You have made us proud.
James Rowlands
December 12, 2013
Thank You for your service.Congratulations on your new wings.
Rey Criollo
December 12, 2013
Thank you Mr. Booker
LIKENESS
December 12, 2013
Unto the family i hope a smile is upon your faces, for the many accomplishments and constant of unselfishly giving back of himself. i don't know him personally,although i would have liken too,but spiritually im OVER-JOYED!!!! Another FINE THREAD in the BLANKET that has help to cover yet open the eyes of people like me(The Proud,The Few,The Many The Black (Wo-) Man of America.)that Yahweh have laid to rest. Amen and I THANK and Salute YOU Mr.William L.Booker. R.I.P
Ben Kinlaw
December 12, 2013
We were saddened to learn of the loss of this patriot who was a member of the "Greatest Generation."
Appreciate his service to our country and the personal sacrifices he made.
Our prayer is God will comfort the family in their time of sorrow, and the you remain in our thoughts and prayers.
December 12, 2013
Thank you for your service to our country. Thoughts and prayers to your family. I know you will enjoy your flight in heaven!
December 12, 2013
GODSPEED
Ronnie P
December 12, 2013
Its men like him who made America great.Thank you for your service to our country.
James Hall
December 12, 2013
I never knew this man, but I do know he was a man that talked the talk and walked the walk. A path finder for all those who found a measure of greatness in following his foot steps on the path that blazed before them. A true loss to our Nation.
Paul Taylor
December 12, 2013
Thanks for your service and for being part of the Greatest Generation...God bless and rest in peace..
Walt Grover
December 12, 2013
We lost another one of my heroes than finally are recognized. My sincere condolences to the family. RIP
karen smith
December 12, 2013
thanks to you for leading the way for us !!!
Scott Chamberland
December 12, 2013
Rest in Peace
Pamela AKA Katie Flynn
December 12, 2013
THE STEPS OF A "GOOD" MAN HAVE BEEN ORDERED BY THE LORD! WHAT SHALL WE SAY TO THESE THINGS? TO THE FAMILY,PLEASE KNOW THAT GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US..AUNT DELORES, LARRY & PAULA,MY HEART WAS SO MOVED TO HEAR OF UNCLE BILL'S PROMOTION,I WISH I COULD BE THERE TO CELERATE HIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE..MY FONDEST THOUGHTS OF HIM WAS WHEN HE CAME TO VISIT AND STAYED IN MY HOME AND SAID THAT HE THOUGHT HE WAS TREATED LIKE HE WAS IN ONE OF THE FINEST HOTELS IN THE WORLD, THIS REALLY BLESSED MY HEART TO KNOW THAT HE LOVED ME ENOUGH TO STAY AT MY HOME WITH HIS WIFE..THE BOOKER FAMILY WILL LIVE ON BECAUSE OF HIS EXAMPLE..MAY YOU REST IN THE ARMS OF JESUS.......UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN..LOVE YOU ALWAYS........KATIE (NIECE)AURORA COLORADO
Joyce Jefferson
December 12, 2013
My condolences to the Booker Family. What a great Man your Father was. I am proud to have such a man of his bravery and courage to take on such a task. He make us proud to be an American. God Bless him and R.I.P.
Bonita Geary
December 12, 2013
Thank you so much, Mr. Booker, for your service to this country. You were part of an elite group of men, in a time when recognition of that fact was lacking. Rest in Peace, and may your family find comfort and strength in your legacy.
LaMar Bartell
December 12, 2013
God bless Mr. Booker for his dedication and perseverance through many adversities.
PATRICIA BROWN
December 12, 2013
THANK YOU MR. BOOKER FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOUR YOUR SERVICE. NOW YOU WILL FLYING WITH THE ANGELS!!!! RIP.
KEITH
December 12, 2013
THANK YOU SIR FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY DURING A TIME OF NEED-We are Honored for you service.
Rose
December 12, 2013
God Bless Mr. William L. Booker and Family. ~With Thoughts and Prayers.
December 12, 2013
Many owe their freedom to these brave men who went off to war. These are the true HEROES to be looked up to. Thank you for your most honorable service to our country.
A grateful American
December 11, 2013
So sorry for your loss.
Ann Hamric
December 11, 2013
RIP and Thank You for your service to our country. You and the rest of the pilots who served will never be forgotten. May God comfort your family not only at this time, but always. May God fill each loved ones heart that is left behind with the wonderful and loving memories and help ease the pain of losing you. God Bless. Semper Fi. GySgt. Jim and Ann Hamric USMC Ret(Air Wing/Vietnam Veteran)
Ann S. Reynolds
December 11, 2013
With deepest sympathy. Friend of the late Airman Julius Calloway of Louisville, Ky.
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