William Bills

BILLS
Col. William Edward Bills DVM
May 28, 13 ~ Sept. 29, 09
US Air Force, Retired

Col. William "Bill" Edward Bills, DVM, age 96, of San Antonio, peacefully passed away on September 29, 2009 at the Health Care Center at Air Force Village. He was born on May 28, 1913 in Green River, Wyoming, the oldest of two sons of the late Elmer Bills and Laura (David) Bills. The Bills Family eventually moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where Bill would help in the family store and attended public schools until her was fifteen. The opportunity to finish High School at the St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin was presented and Bill earned his diploma there in 1930. This experience laid the foundation for his excellent academic skills and military career. Bill returned to Wyoming and attended the University of Wyoming from 1930 until 1932, completing the prerequisites for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree he received from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University in 1936. In 1938, Dr. Bills earned an M.S. degree in Histology-Bacteriology. While working towards this degree, he was an assistant professor until 1939. In 1934, while attending Ohio State, Dr. Bills became a 2nd Lt., US Army Infantry, Reserve- Inactive Status. Also in 1934, Bill married the love of his life, Jean (Fulton) Bills, who was his ever supportive wife. In 1939, Dr. Bills continued as an assistant professor at Colorado State University until June of 1940, when he went into active duty as a 1st Lt. in the US Army at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. After receiving additional training at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland, HQ and the Ninth Air Force, Army Air Base, Louisiana, he was eventually stationed at Columbia Air Base, South Carolina. In January 1943 during WWII at the age of 29, Bill was promoted to Major and assigned to HQ, Northwest Service Command Vet. Corp. in Whitehorse, Y.T., Canada. Major Bills was tasked with developing a veterinary corp to procure disease free cattle from local ranchers, import fresh vegetables and fruit, while developing proper storage methods. This was one of many support roles that fed the Army and the contractors when the Alaskan Highway was being built. From 1946 until 1950, Col. Bills was stationed in Chicago as assistant commander of the Quartermaster Subsistence School, and also with the Food and Container Institute for the armed forces in research and development of military rations. In 1949, Col. Bills transferred to the medical service being organized in the U.S. Air Force. He became project officer and operations administrator in the Aeromedical Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. In 1954 to 1955, Col. Bills earned his MPH degree from the University of California at Berkley through the Air Force Educational Program. From 1955 until 1957, Col. Bills served as staff veterinarian, Headquarters, Fifth Air Force at Nagoya, Japan. He was also an assistant for Veterinary Services, Headquarters, Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska from 1958 until 1964. Col. Bills was the Chief of the Veterinary Sciences Division at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas from 1964 until 1969. He was involved with research and development projects, including implementing a masters program at the School of Aerospace Medicine through the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine. He was also a visiting professor at Texas A&M. Another responsibility he had was maintaining the Vivarium, where Sam the Monkey lived after his historic flight into space. Sam's name is the initials of the School of Aerospace Medicine. Col. Bills professional memberships include the American Veterinary Medical Association; Association of Military Surgeons; American Public Health Association; Conference of Public Health Veterinarians; Society of Phi Zeta and Alpha Psi Fraternities (Veterinary Medicine); and Delta Omega (Honorary Public Health Society). He is also the author of numerous publications prepared as technical manuals. Col. Bills retired in 1969 and spent many happy years traveling with Jean in the Airstream and going on cruises. With their wide circle of friends, they entertained with dinner parties. During Bill's life, he enjoyed fishing, horseback riding, golf, chess, and playing cards. He is preceded in death by his son, Edward and his wife Jean. He is survived by his daughter, Margery Bills; four grandchildren, David Dampier, Steven Dampier, Christine Dampier and Michael Dampier; along with three great grandchildren. Other surviving family members include his brother, Dr. Robert Bills, nephews Robert Bills, Jr., and David Bills; and niece Janet Bills. A special thank you is extended to the staffs of Air Force Village HCC, Axiom Home Health, and Odyssey Hospice for their loving care of Bill. Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 N. Interstate 35, Pflugerville. A funeral service will follow at 3:30 p.m.in the Mausoleum Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery, with entombment following after the service. Arrangements by: Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home
14501 North Interstate 35 Pflugerville, Texas, 78660 (512) 251-4118