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William Montgomery Obituary
Passed away suddenly on February 5, 2010 in El Paso, Texas at the age of 63. William was born in Cherokee, Iowa in 1946 to parents William Howard and Dorothy Munn Montgomery. He was the oldest of 7 siblings, sisters Leah Aikman of Peru, IN, and Mary (Roddy) Spencer of Tucson, AZ, brothers Bob (Marie) Montgomery of Tucson, AZ, Dave Montgomery of San Diego, CA, Chris (Janet) Montgomery of Tucson, AZ, and Rogers (Gina) Montgomery of Tucson, AZ. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Linda (Chapman) of Kokomo, IN and his daughters, Amy (Nathan) May of San Juan Capistrano, CA, Angela Montgomery of Phoenix, AZ, Aggie (Adam) Simcoe of Surprise, AZ, Amanda (Joe) Childress of Keller, TX and his three granddaughters that brought great joy to his life, Ava, Natalie and Grace Simcoe. A Life Scout and alter boy as a child, William went on to serve in the Vietnam War as a helicopter pilot and subsequently attended Indiana University, where he met his wife, Linda in 1971. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. He worked for First Nat'l Bank and Trust of Plainfield, IN as V.P. of Finance and flew for the National Guard, retiring from the military as a Major. Bill spent much of his flight career as a commercial airline captain for ATA from the 1980s through the 2000s, moving his family from Plainfield, IN to Phoenix, AZ in 1998. His life revolved around aviation as well as his love of sailing. Bill was active in the Marina Venice Yacht Club as their former Sailing Fleet Captain and Director. He loved to play golf, ride his motorcycle and thoroughly enjoyed his time with family and friends. Bill was beloved by everyone who encountered him, from the cockpit, to the army base, to the yacht club. He will be profoundly missed. A eulogy service will be from 6 to 9 pm, Thursday February 18, at Thompson's Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd, Goodyear, AZ 85338, and a memorial mass will be at 10 am Friday February 19, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 13720 W. Thomas Rd., Avondale, AZ 85392. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the following: The American Legion Post 61, 35 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale, AZ 85323, and the Special Olympics of Indiana: Plane Pull Challenge, 6100 W. 96th Street Ste.270, Indianapolis, IN 46278.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Montgomery
Angela Montgomery
January 14, 2011
A day doesn't go by where we're not all missing and thinking of you. Love you Dad.
Lee Loudon
February 28, 2010
Bill was a great guy and pilot and he will be missed. I am sorry for your loss and trust that his wonderful family will carry on.
Mark Groover
February 24, 2010
Bill was always a pleasure to fly with at ATA, and we shared many memories of our service in Vietnam. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Scott Moss
February 20, 2010
I flew and golfed with Bill for 4 years in PHX. He was a great Dude, great pilot, and a good friend. I am so sorry for your loss. I know Bill loved his family very much. We always had a great time flying, golfing and of course a few beers afterwards. We will miss him! Scott and Cinnamon Moss
Richard "Rick" Rees
February 17, 2010
Dear Linda & Family,
I wish I could be there to express my heartfelt condolences, time and circumstance don't allow. Bill was a long time friend and colleague whose company I enjoyed so very much. It was always a joy when he showed up on our doorstep at Ko Olina and we will sorely miss those visits. Aloha and God speed my friend.
Rick
Otto Cenzano
February 17, 2010
When ever Bill was in town it was great to find him up at the Marina Venice Yacht Club and share a Jack Daniels, or two, with him. I will miss his presence and spirit. I am blessed with the beautiful family he leaves with us.
Otto Cenzano
February 17, 2010
It was always great to find Bill up at the Marina Venice Yacht Club and share a Jack Daniels, or two, with him. I will miss his presence and spirit. I am blessed that he leaves behind a beautiful family.
Ken Heare
February 17, 2010
We have lost so many great members of our PHX ATA family in the last few years. It was a great pleasure to have worked with Bill for so many years and countless flights to the Islands.
My sympathies to Linda and his daughters, and all who feel the loss of this wonderful man.
Butch ( Polecat 11) Borszich
February 17, 2010
While I didn't have an opportunity to know Bill that well, I felt a somewhat closer association with him because he and I were in the same helicopter unit in Vietnam. Bill was there before me, but I am sure that we had many of the same experiences. I only wish that we had more time together to share them.
Kevin Jaeger
February 17, 2010
My condolences to a fellow ATA crewmember and veterans family. Although we may not have ever flown together, I am sure I have flown with others whom Bill had influence on at ATA. He was there along time and was there to grow other great people to be a great pilot. God Bless.
James Fischley
February 17, 2010
Bill was an inspiration for me to "keep the blue side up". The many times we flew together pointed out how good he was, both as an aviator and as person. My wife, Ginger, flew with him a few times as an ATA F/A. She feels the same way about what a gentalman and a professional pilot he was. I certanly agree. He'll be missed. Aloha, Bill
Jim and Ginger Fischley
Steve Chechila
February 16, 2010
Bill will be deeply missed by all of us In the ATA family. My condolences to his family. He was a good friend and ;pilot.
Steve Chechila Saint Augustine FLA
Mac McGaffigan
February 16, 2010
Bill was a good man and friend. I enjoyed the many years we flew together at ATA. He will be missed by all.
My thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family.
Robbie Robinson
February 16, 2010
Bill, You will be missed. We will all fly West. Some sooner than others. Good Memories remain forever. It was a pleasure to fly with you. We'll meet again.
Tom Leonard
February 16, 2010
William, Aviation was the life blood for many of us as it was for you. May you rest in peace as we are just small stones thrown into a smooth pond of water causing some ripples then peace and quiet once again.
Tom Leonard
Paul Bonderski
February 16, 2010
Damm Bill, although you will be dearly missed, we all will meet again on the other side.
Paul
Lou Vasconi
February 15, 2010
Dear Linda and Family, I am very sorry for your loss. Bill was a class act and it was my pleasure to know and work with him. I'll miss him, fly west.
Celesta Lanham
February 15, 2010
Dear Linda and family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband Bill. I shall always remember the wonderful times we had togehter. My prayers are with you and continue to keep in touch with me. God bless you and your family.
Bill Sorenson
February 14, 2010
I am so sorry for the loss of this Brother pilot and Vietnam Vet. I'm glad to have known him. He had much encouragement for me through tough times. He always had a great sense of humor and was fun to be with. I'll miss him.
Mary Montgomery Spencer
February 14, 2010
Brother, Son, Pilot, Patriot, Hero, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Banker, Flyboy, Sailor, Rider, Friend to many, deeply loved, and profoundly missed.
Bill, you have a beautiful new set of wings now. I will vow to resist the powerful urge to wish for you to be back here with us and pray for the strength to celebrate the abundant life you lived while you were here.
~~ Your loving sister
Tammy Reed
February 14, 2010
Montgomery Family, I am so sorry for your loss. It is time to celebrate Bill's life. He will live forever in the memories you have made together.
Prayers for comfort to all.
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