William Edward Newman

MSgt. William "Bill" Edward Newman, 74, of Jacksonville, Florida, formerly of Eleanor, West Virginia, passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022, in his home after a short battle with cancer. He loved to read, especially western and science fiction novels, and was an avid collector of comic books and Disney movies.
Bill was born on June 24, 1948, to his late parents, Payton Lewis Newman Jr. and Anna Roberta Neal Newman King. Affectionately called "Bill Eddie" by his family, he is preceded in death by his wife, father, mother, and five of his six siblings. His junior high school sweetheart and loving wife of 49 years, Joan Elaine Newman, passed in 2017 and met him at Heaven's Gates.
Upon graduating from High School, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, beginning an honorable 20-year active duty military career as an electrician and later as a missile facilities technician. After an unaccompanied tour in Alaska, Bill and Joan married on February 23, 1968. They soon moved to Hamilton Air Force Base, California, where his first two daughters, Stephanie Lynn and Deanna Marie, were born.
In 1972, Bill and Joan moved to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command's Titan II nuclear deterrence mission. Their second two daughters, Sonia Gale and Kimberly Ann, were born during this time. The family moved to Minot, Air Force Base, North Dakota, a few years later. While stationed at Minot, Bill served in the 91st Missile Wing, maintaining Minuteman III nuclear missiles, and welcomed their first son, William Edward II.
For a short time, Bill separated from the Air Force and the family settled in his hometown of Nitro, West Virginia. He hoped to join his brother in the U.S. Navy and worked as a Ranger for Coonskin Park near Charleston, West Virginia. During this time, Bill and Joan welcomed their second son, Christopher Elton. Bill eventually re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1980 and served in the 394th ICBM Test Maintenance Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, for ten years.
Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1989, Bill and Joan moved to Titusville, Florida, with their younger children. He enjoyed an extensive second career supporting space launch operations at the Cape Canaveral Kennedy Space Center until his retirement in 2021.
Bill leaves behind his six children, Stephanie Lynn Smoot, Deanna Marie Falkowski, Sonia Gale Dalaklis, Kimberly Ann Brown, William Edward Newman II, and Christopher Elton Newman; their families, including 18 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; his brother Patrick Lawrence Newman and brothers-in-law Jim Cantley and Jack McCarty.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Beech Grove Cemetery, 305 Ivywood St., Eleanor, West Virginia with Military Honors and Pastor David L. Panaro, Jr., officiating.
You may visit Bill's tribute page at BartlettNicholsFuneralHome.com to share memories or condolences with the family.
Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, family owned and located at 409 Sixth Ave., St. Albans is honored to serve the Newman family.