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William Auth Obituary
William John Auth, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret) answered the Last Roll Call from his home in Citrus Heights on 3 March 2007. Left with loving memories are the four children he raised after the death of his wife, Virginia Ellen Meyer Auth (25 March 1967) - Pat (Jeff) Proulx; Nancy (Ed) Kerns; William Auth, Jr. (Debra Lee); Sheila Auth (John Taylor). An unforgettable and proud Grandpa of Jessica and Jeffrey Proulx, Christine and Patrick Kerns, Kelsey and Logan Taylor. Honorary Grandpa for Megan and Robert T. Carter. Loving companion of eleven years and favorite bridge partner of Dorothy Young. Bill was born 15 August 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Leo and Helen Auth. He was a four year honor student at Cathedral Latin, Silver Jubilee Class of 1941. He interrupted college to join the Army Air Corps as a pilot cadet in February 1943. Bill earned his pilot wings and appointment as 2nd Lt. on 8 February 1944. As a B-17 pilot with the 8th AF, 91st Bomb Group (H), 324th Bomb Sq., he flew 22 combat missions from Bassingbourn, England. His final mission, 25 April 1945, was over Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, pilot of the low squadron lead plane - No. 588. His "unbiased view of what was happening" provided research material to the author of "The Forgotten Final Mission" by L. Getz, Aviation History, Jan. 2003. Bill graduated from Case Institute of Technology, BS Chemical Engineering with Honors in 1948. Membership in Tau Beta Pi, Alpha Chi Sigma and The Society of The Sigma Xi. He earned a Master of Science in Nuclear Chemistry from The Ohio State University in 1953. Member Phi Lambda Upsilon. An AF Regular Officer and Command Pilot, he was Deputy Chief, MCL, 1155th Tech Ops Sq., McClellan AFB at the time of his retirement in 1968. Bill was an avid golfer, getting a Hole in One in 1972, still playing with golf buddies until recently. He was a Bronze Master with the American Contract Bridge League, active community volunteer, famous for hand-tied fishing flies, ham and bean soup, and smoked salmon pate. He loved Jazz and Big Band music, leaving us while listening to Glenn Miller. His "favorite place" was in Alaska, fishing with Bill, Jr., a summer trip together all but one of the last 15 years. Bill, Daddy, Dad, Pops, Grandpa, Grampers, will always be remembered by those who loved him, but not missed by fish anywhere. Cremation service by Simple Traditions. Private burial ceremony at Golden Gate National Cemetery. The family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the charity of your choice. Friends are invited to Bill's home to share memories on Saturday, 31 March from 1-5pm.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Auth
Sponsored by The youngest, Sheila.
Sheila Auth
August 15, 2011
Daddy,
On what would have been your 88th birthday, I send you love and hugs. I so could use your calming presence in my life right now. I miss you so much Daddy....
Your youngest,
Sheila
December 11, 2010
This is belated but in honor of your William John Auth. He was truly a member of the "Greatest Generation." Will Bill Auth Jr. please contact me at [email protected]. I am doing research on the bombing of the Skoda Arms Works. My cell phone No. is 708-212-5882.
Sheila Auth
March 3, 2010
Daddy,
It's so hard to realize that it's been 3 years since you embarked on your final flight. I miss you every day and will love you until my last breath.
Your youngest,
Sheila
Sheila auth
November 11, 2009
Daddy,
Thinking of you on this Veterans Day. I am so proud to be the daughter of a WWII vet. It still amazes me how young you were and the way you and your peers handled so much pressure with such grace and dignity. Love you so much and I still miss you every day.
Your youngest,
Sheila
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Patty Proulx
August 18, 2009
Daddy,
Since there is no MC's in New Hampshire I had to settle for a lemon meringue pie light yogurt to celebrate your birthday, which is okay because I am on my mother of the bride dress diet.
Please get together with Bob and take him fishing. It isn't Alaska but it is heaven and I am sure you know all the best places to catch the biggest fish by now.
Love is Always,
Patty
August 17, 2009
Daddy~
We had a lemon meringue pie in your honor! I still miss hearing your voice and hanging out with you on the patio. I will love you forever.
Your youngest,
Sheila
Bill
August 15, 2009
Missing you on your birthday
Sheila Auth
December 24, 2008
Thinking of you and still missing you so much this Christmas. I love you....
Your Youngest,
Sheila
Sheila Auth
August 15, 2008
Happy 85th Daddy! I think of you daily and still expect to pick up the phone and hear your voice. I will stop by Marie Callenders on my way home a buy a Lemon Meringue Pie in your honor! John, Kelsey, Logan & I miss you so much. You are my hero...
Much love from your youngest,
Sheila
Sheila Auth
June 16, 2008
Happy Father's Day Daddy! We went out to dinner and it wasn't the same without you. I miss you so much and will love you forever.
Your youngest,
Sheila
Bill Auth
June 15, 2008
Happy Fathers Day, Pop ! You are the best Dad anyone could have wished for ...Love, Your son , Bill
Sheila Auth
March 5, 2008
Daddy,
One whole year has passed without you....and I miss you just as much.
I think of you every day, and I still pick up the phone to call you, then remember that you won't be there. I love you so much Daddy and Saturday's are just not the same.
Love, Hugs & Kisses
Your youngest,
Sheila
Bill Auth
March 3, 2008
Pop,
It has already been a year since you left. You are greatly missed by all....Love Bill jr.
Sheila Auth
December 28, 2007
Daddy,
As the new year approaches, I find myself thinking of you more than ever. We went to Manzanillo, Mexico for Thanksgiving because I couldn't face the holiday here without you. I so missed you slapping my hand as I pinched stuffing and skin from "the Bird"and you calling for John to help get the Bird out of the oven. I assume that sooner or later I will have to cook my own turkey...
Christmas was very hard. Dorothy didn't feel up to coming over so we all went to my friend Michelle's house. I keep waiting for the sadness to lessen, but it's not.
I'll be thinking of you on New Years and knowing that your looking down and keeping an eye on me.
I love and miss you so much Daddy...
Your Youngest
Sheila
Bill Auth
August 15, 2007
Happy Birthday , Pop ! I miss you
Love Bill Jr.
Sheila
August 15, 2007
Daddy,
Happy 84th! I've been dreading this day without you, but I've decided
to turn it into a celebration instead. I'll spend time today thinking of
all the times we were lucky enough to share together. I'm finally going
to transplant your lemon tree today so that Jack won't have to water it
anymore! And on my way home, I'm stopping at Marie's for your favorite,
Lemon Meringue Pie which you always said "So much better than cake" I
just may eat the whole thing myself.....
I love you so much and miss you every day.
Your youngest....Sheila
Jessica Proulx
June 25, 2007
Grandpa,
I saw the Red Sox play this weekend in San Diego. They won on Friday and today. We had a great time and I so missed being able to talk to you about it all. I know we loved talking about baseball and how happy you would have been that we got to see the games. Anyways, just missing you today and always. I love you.
Love, Jessica
June 18, 2007
Daddy,
Happy Father's Day....I miss you so much. Because you aren't here, I
snuck off to the Community Center to see "The Light in the Piazza" Went
to dinner at Mah Jong's where we had our last date when I took you to
see "White Christmas"....I will always think of you whenever I hear
Bing crooning his signature song. To tell the truth I will just think
of you always. It's so hard being without you.
Your youngest,
Sheila
Patty Proulx
June 17, 2007
Happy Father’s Day, Daddy. There’s been a lot of time over the last three and a half months that all I did was miss you and think of all the special times that you’ve missed – blowup beds covering the floors like summers past with Jeff and I, Jessica and Dan, Jeffrey, Megan and Robert T all at the house and trying to use the one bathroom when you know how much time Jessica and Megan spend in there…the Open House was full with all your family and friends and the neighborhood has never seen so many cars parked on the side of the road where you know they shouldn’t have been…Saturdays with Sheila… Nancy, Ed and Christine’s birthdays…Patrick buying a house…Sheila and John’s anniversary…my annual April vacation week visit when I would plant your cherry tomato’s, hot peppers, and flower pots – I was there but I didn’t plant anything this year…Bill’s 50th birthday…Mother’s Day was hard because I always called you since for the past 39 years you were both mother and father…for her 30th birthday Jessica and Dan went to Alaska and I know you would have loved hearing all about it over lunch with her that you would of course pay for during her next Sacramento overnight…Jeff and my anniversary…Jeff and Jeffrey’s annual fishing trip to West Branch which Jeff was always trying to get you to go back to even though you almost froze to death your first night there five years ago…Jeffrey’s birthday…Logan’s eighth grade graduation from St. Philomene’s ... Sheila singing a Gwen Stefani song on Y92 to win concert tickets and Kelsey being the fifth caller that broke the tie – that is such a Sheila thing…Kelsey’s early 16th birthday party and tee-peeing from a limo…and now Father’s Day. I thought it would be harder but I realized something as I’ve spent the last two days sorting through family pictures to add to Jessica’s first thirty years DVD video that Dan is making for her. So many pictures over the years and so many happy memories with you. It helped put things in some perspective. Time passes and to everything there is a season. Part of me will always be your little girl and of course, number one daughter! I miss you but I realized that you haven’t missed anything. I know that you are only gone from my sight, not from my thoughts. You are as close as my heart and the love and memories I hold within.
Love, Patty
Bill Auth
June 17, 2007
Happy Fathers Day , Pop ...I really miss you ...Today more than most..Love from your son , Bill
Sheila
May 29, 2007
Daddy,
I thought of you so often this weekend. I'm waiting for the loss of you
to lessen a bit, but so far it just seems to be getting worse. So many
times I reach for the phone and then realize that you won't be there. I
love you so much and miss you all the time.
Your Youngest
Sheila
Bill Auth , Jr
May 28, 2007
Hi Pop !!!! Thinking of you on this Memorial Day ...I really miss you ...
Kelly Yasbek
March 12, 2007
Sheila & Patty, your siblings and families;
There is no greater love than that of family. You are all an inspiration and example of what a family is. You act lovingly to each other and the world at large.
For this, I give your father credit for instilling that in your value system. He was a dear man, I feel privileged to have met him. I feel privileged to experience life in your extended family as a result of his teachings.
He not only lived well, he left the world a better place through you!
My sincere sympathies to all.
Sheila Auth
March 12, 2007
Daddy,
I came over on Saturday for our weekly visit and you were'nt there. Talked to you anyway, I hope you heard. You have always been my ideal man, one of honor, integrity, humor and off the charts intelligence. My Chem Topper award in highschool was largely due to your tutoring. Thank you for all the sacrifices after Mommy died. I can only imagine how daunting raising four children could be, but you never waivered.
Our Saturday mornings together were the highlights of the last few years. Thank you for all the stories; your job at the meat market, furniture store, WWII anecdotes, The Ohio State football games with Mommy, jazz memories, trips across country.....I know you said that if I had been the first I would have been the only. I'll continue to take that as a compliment! :) I love you so much Daddy and I will miss you for the rest of my life, but especially on Saturday mornings.
Your youngest,
Sheila
Dick and Charlotte Hall
March 10, 2007
To the family of Bill Auth.
Charlotte and I have been his neighbors for about 17 years. He has been a friend, sounding board and consultent for that period of time. He is our hero, having been one of the guys that saved the world when it was in desperate need of heros. He made a great bean soup with the ham bone donated by his daughter Sheila. He fed the neighbor's every January. Bill was a gentleman and a great neighbor. We will miss him.
Marsha Hafstrom Benson
March 10, 2007
Sheila and family,
I remember so well how your dad opened his house to us as kids in the late 60's and early 70's. We could have driven him crazy listening to loud music on his stereo, playing in his International Scout, and always being underfoot. My best memory is that your house was a fun place to be in those days. I know you all have tons of happy memories of this fine man, and I will treasure mine. His spirit remains forever in the hearts of those he loved.
Bob Fitzgerald, MSgt (Ret)
March 9, 2007
I am so sorry to hear of Col Auth's passing. I always looked up to and had the highest respect for him. I had the priviledge of working for him (and Col Bob McBryde) in MCL-Lab Ops (1155th TOS) in 1966-67 and he taught me so much. AFTAC has lost another great alumni. Our deepest sympathies to all the Auth family.
Bob Fitzgerald
Chairman of the Board
AFTAC Alumi Assn, West Coast Chapter
Mark Chambers
March 9, 2007
I did not have the pleasure of meeting you, but I have heard great things about you. From one Veteran to another, I salute you.
May you rest in peace.
Lonnie Blackwell
March 9, 2007
It has been a great privilege to know this wonderful man! I always think of him as "Daddy" or "Grampa" because of the wonderful sharing of Patty & family, & Sheila. Complimentary adoption is the best!!! Thank you! He truely lives on in his children & grandchildren who are soooo much like him (except Patty doesn't really fish) in soooo many ways. I will always look at Jeffrey & say "Yup, there he is."
Keep sharing the memories -- you have so many incredible ones. His light left here but he is helping light the universe. Love & prayers to family & friends!
Patty Proulx
March 9, 2007
Daddy,
You were my best teacher. Although I learned so much from you, even you couldn't make me understand Chemistry and which direction to go on the slide rule to calculate equations (my right-left directional disability was obvious even then..)or Algebra. I still count on my fingers sometimes but I don't hide my hands under the table anymore.
You are my inspiration, the first man in my life, and my hero. Thank you for the privilege of being with you as you prepared for your final flight.
I love you.
Patty
Jerry Thoma
March 8, 2007
While I had only met Uncle Bill once back in the early 90's when Meg and I were graciously invited to stay a couple of nights with him, it was like meeting an old friend again from the get go. Young at heart and simply fun to be around, it is sad to see someone so special to so many leave this life whiile he was still enjoying it so much.
Meg Auth (THOMA)
March 8, 2007
MY DEEP HEARTFELT SYMPATHIES TO MY COUSINS. I HAVE LEARNED TO LOVE TO FISH WHILE IN NEW ZEALAND- ONLY A HANDFUL OF TIMES-IT MUST BE IN THE GENES.
Beverly Scheeler-Smiley
March 8, 2007
Shiela-
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I think of you and him with any discussion of the first moon walk that we watched together a very long time ago! Take Care! Bev
MaryAnne & Hannah Kelly
March 8, 2007
Deepest sympathy to the wonderful and loving family of Bill Auth. The love you all displayed to your father during his life (and particularly at the end) was moving. We love being part of your extended family - and in such, we mourn with you on the loss of your father and grandfather.
Candace Purcell
March 8, 2007
Your Daughter Patty must have learned from you how to give back to the community, she has been a great board member for the American Volkssport for many years. Thank you for her.
Beca Lehr
March 8, 2007
Dear Sir,
Thank you for all your years of service. Rest in peace.
Mike and Mary Lubin
March 7, 2007
One of the nicest men I've ever known. A great example of officer, gentleman and father. God will be with him.
"Pops" - The Greatest Fisherman
March 7, 2007
Debra and Bill Sr., Kenai Peninsula 2005
March 7, 2007
Bill fussing with my rod, making sure it's just right... Alaska 2005
Debra Lee
March 7, 2007
Bill, I am honored to have known you for the last four years, and will never forget the Alaska trip of 2005. I never did bring in a silver that trip but I sure had fun trying, under your ever-watchful guardian eye.
Thank you for raising such fine children. I love them all very much.
Bill Auth , Jr.
March 7, 2007
Pops , thank you for a lifetime of guidance,love and companionship,and of course , fishing lessons !!! I love you old buddy , you are the greatest . Love Bill Jr.
Grandpa and Dad after an afternoon fishing at Gilmore Pond
March 7, 2007
Bruce & Pam Russell
March 7, 2007
We never met Bill but loved his children very much. Our hearts go out to them all.
Dad, Grandpa and I at West Branch
Jeffrey Proulx
March 7, 2007
Grandpa - what can I say - I will never forget the fishing and golfing memories, the summers at the house - and most importantly the time we had together. Thanks for everything - you will be greatly missed.
Nancy Kerns
March 7, 2007
Daddy,
Loving father, chemistry and ping pong teacher extra-ordinaire! You will be missed but loved evermore.
daughter Nancy
Bob & Joan Davis
March 7, 2007
May your last flight be as rewarding as your life.
Jeff Proulx
March 7, 2007
Bill: I'm going to miss those flies that the local fish like so much. Thanks for teaching me how to fly fish and the memories that go with those lessons.
Jessica Proulx
March 7, 2007
Love you, Grandpa. I am truly going to miss my favorite lunch date! Love, Jessica
Simple Traditions Cremation Services
March 6, 2007
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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