William "Bill" Vincent McBride, General, USAF (Retired) - May 25, 1922 – August 26, 2022. He was a well-known military officer who rose from the rank of private to four-star rank during his military career of more than thirty-six years. In retirement, he was an active participant in numerous governmental, business, educational and civic organizations.

General McBride was born and raised in Wampum, PA. He enlisted in the United States Army in March 1942 at the age of nineteen. He later earned a commission as Second Lieutenant and a rating as navigator through the Aviation Cadet program. He was assigned to the Eighth Bomber Command, and later the Ninth Air Force, in England where he flew seventy-seven combat missions, including D-Day, with the 387th Bombardment Group. After World War II, he became one of the few triple-rated officers in the United States Air Force -- qualified as pilot, navigator, and bombardier. During the Korean War, he commanded the Second Air Rescue Group on Okinawa. He later served in numerous positions of command and staff duty at all levels of responsibility -- highlighted by frequent interface with senior officials of the Executive and Legislative branches at the national level. Among others, these assignments included Vice Commander in Chief, United States Air Forces in Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany, Commander, Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, and Commander, Air Force Logistics Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He retired in March 1978 in the Pentagon after serving as Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, for nearly three years. During his military service he was awarded the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters), the Legion of Merit (three oak leaf clusters), the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with fourteen oak leaf clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre. He also received other decorations from his meritorious service in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Since his military retirement in 1978, General McBride and his wife Kathryn had been residents of San Antonio. He was best known to the business and political community for his service as President of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce during the period 1982-1987. He also served as an appointed member of the Texas State Board of Education, Austin, TX for six years. He served as Chairman of the Board, Director, and Trustee of the Southwest Research Institute. He was a former director of the Main Bank, the National Bank of Fort Sam Houston, the USLICO Corporation of Arlington, VA, the United Services Life Insurance Company of Arlington, VA and director emeritus of the Air Force Association of Arlington, VA. He was also selected to serve on the Mayor's Commission on Integrity and Trust in Local Government, and he was appointed as one of the original directors of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority. He had been a trustee of the Falcon Foundation at the United States Air Force Academy and a life trustee of the San Antonio Medical Foundation. He was a former trustee of the Bexar County Hospital District, the Fiesta Commission and a trustee emeritus of the Aerospace Education Foundation of Arlington, VA. He was an Eagle Scout. He was also a member of the Alamo Chapter of the Air Force Association, Stinson's Flight No. 2 of the Order of Daedalians, the Air Rescue Association, the Oak Hills Country Club, the Civic Breakfast Group, and the Wednesday Lunch Club.

General McBride was a graduate of the National War College, Washington, DC and the Garfield Business Institute, Beaver Falls, PA. He also attended New York University, NY, University of Miami, FL; University of California, CA, University of Maryland, MD and St Johns College at Oxford, England.

General McBride was born in Wampum, PA, the son of Vincent Raymond McBride and Iva Elizabeth Kirkwood McBride, both deceased. He was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, Kathryn Solsberg McBride. They have one daughter, Kathy Davis, who is married to Don Davis of Hoover, AL. Additionally he is survived by two granddaughters, Lisa Davis Bunn and Jennifer Davis Smith; and two grandsons-in-law, Stephen Bunn of Vestavia Hills, AL and Sean Smith of Alpharetta, GA. He also has four great grandchildren, Davis William Bunn, Walker Lewis Bunn, Collin McLain Smith and Kathryn Adeline Smith. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Elizabeth McBride of Lakeland, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Air Force Village Foundation, 5100 John D. Ryan Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78245. Air Force Enlisted Village, 354 Woodrow St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. Falcon Foundation, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840. Aerospace Education Foundation, 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington VA 22209. Or a charity of your choice.

A graveside service with Air Force Honors will take place on Monday, October 3, 2022, at 10:45 A.M. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209.

A Memorial Service in General McBride's honor will be held on Monday, October 3, 3022, at 2:00 P.M. at Blue Skies of Texas West, 5100 John D Ryan Blvd, San Antonio, Texas 78245. A reception will follow.

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