Lt. Colonel William L. Blackburn (USAF, Ret)

Lt. Colonel (USAF, Ret) William L. Blackburn, 90, of Fort Wayne, passed away on July 20, 2011. He was surrounded by his loving family and he exhibited his signature style, wit and dignity. The son of the late Dr. Ora E. and Dora M. Blackburn was born in Fort Wayne, raised and went to school in Harlan. He retired from the Real Estate and Right-of-Way Department of Indiana Michigan Power Company in 1983. Surviving are his wife, Shirley A. of Fort Wayne; a son, Gregory S. (and his companion, Marty Renner) of Ossian; daughters, Greta J. of New York City and Los Angeles California, and Shelby J. of Redwood City, California; a granddaughter, Layla Brooklyn Allman, also of Redwood City; a step-daughter, Lisa A. (Todd) Snyder of Fort Wayne; a step-son, Dr. Steven Zirkelbach of Carmel, Indiana; and four step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, William P.; a previous wife, Sarah J.; brothers, Joseph, and David; and sister, Jean. He attended Indiana University of Fort Wayne and the University of Alabama. His hobbies included reading, golfing, and poker. His varied military career began in 1942 as an Army Corps Private. He was aboard a troop ship in a convoy on the Atlantic Ocean that was attacked by Nazi U-boats. Later, back in the U.S.A., he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Transportation Corp. Then, on a troop ship bound for Leyte and Manila in the Philippines, his convoy was attacked by Japanese submarines. Later in the war, he was in Europe as a Security and Liaison Officer on a troop transport with the British Forces in the Mediterranean area. After WWII, he became a member of the Indiana Air National Guard and later was Commander of the 122nd Transportation Squadron. He was recalled to active duty with that unit for the Korean Conflict and the Berlin Crisis, retiring from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel in 1969. During his career, he was awarded multiple medals and decorations, including two battle stars and the Meritorious Service Award of Indiana. His memberships included Waynedale Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite, Mizpah Shrine, Elks, Orchard Ridge Country Club, Sycamore Hills country Club, and the Desert Princess Country Club in Palm Springs, California. He also was a charter member of the old Optimist Club. Service is 10 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2011 at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Paul Steiner is officiating. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Military Honors will take place at the graveside in Scipio Cemetery, Harlan, Indiana. Memorials may be made marked "In Memoriam William Blakburn," to the Hoosier Warbirds Aviation Museum, Box 87 Auburn, IN 46806 or Fort Wayne Rescue Mission. To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com.