William L. "Bill" Fornes

William L. (Bill) Fornes, 80, of Valdosta, Ga. died on Saturday, March 21, 2009 following a lengthy illness. Born in Aflex, Pike County, Ky., to the late Lon and Matilda Roberts Fornes, he and his wife Nancy Williams, graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1945 and 1948 respectively. Mr. Fornes graduated from Virginia Tech in 1950 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve, where he served for 24 years primarily as a fighter pilot and instructor. His military career did not end with retirement in 1974, but was extended by his association with many veterans' organizations. He was past commander of the Department of Georgia with the American Ex Prisoners of War (AXPW); he was also past director for the National AXPW. Mr. Fornes and his entire family have been very supportive in the Andersonville National Historic site and the Prisoners of War Museum, dedicated in 1998. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. Mr. Fornes loved his country and he loved his family.Mr. Fornes is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy Williams Fornes of Valdosta; two daughters, Marsha McCord and Sara J. Fornes, both of Valdosta; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Bruce L and Judy Fornes and Paul B. and LaTrecia Fornes, all of Valdosta. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Matthew S. Fornes, Rachael C. Fornes, George A. McCord, Ryan C. Fornes, and Marley T. Fornes, all of Valdosta; step grandchildren, Daniel Hunnicutt and April Nowell, both of Valdosta and a step great grandchild, Logun Nowell; and a sister, Adeline F. Morton, of Canton, Mich.Funeral services for Mr. Fornes will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2009, in the mausoleum chapel at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens in Valdosta, Ga. The Rev. Tommy Bussey will officiate. Entombment will follow in Riverview Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at Carson McLane Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of Andersonville, P.O. Box 186, Andersonville, Ga. 31711. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanefuneralservices.com—Carson McLane Funeral Home.