W. L. "Bill" Creech

Retired four-star Gen. W.L. " Bill " Creech, who in the 1970s turned around the languishing Tactical Air Command and oversaw the development of such modern air weaponry as the F-117 stealth fighter, has died. He was 76.

" No single officer has had greater influence on the Air Force in recent times than Gen. Bill Creech, " said Gen. John P. Jumper, chief of staff of the Air Force. " He transformed the way the Air Force conducts warfare. "

Gen. Creech died Tuesday at his home in Henderson, Nev.

Known as " The Father of the Thunderbirds, " Gen. Creech was credited with rescuing the Air Force ' s Aerial Demonstration Team from congressional cuts after four pilots were killed in 1982 during a training exercise near Indian Springs. Gen. Creech had been a Thunderbirds team pilot in the 1950s.

" Bill ' s impact on many of today ' s military leaders was far and wide, " said Jumper, who served as Gen. Creech ' s executive officer in 1983 and 1984. " He taught us so many lessons of leadership and life. He had tremendous curiosity and a piercing intellect. "

Gen. Creech was born in Missouri in 1927. He earned a degree from the University of Maryland and a master ' s degree from George Washington University. He also graduated from the National War College in Washington, D.C., in 1966.

Gen. Creech began his military career as a private in July 1944. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in September 1949 after graduating from flight training school.

During the Korean War, Gen. Creech flew with the 51st Wing. In July 1951, Gen. Creech was assigned as flight commander at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., where he taught gunnery students from 14 nations.

As a combat pilot, Gen. Creech flew 280 missions 103 in Korea and 177 in Southeast Asia. He was decorated 39 times, including 22 awards for bravery in combat. He flew more than 40 types of aircraft including fighter, reconnaissance and cargo planes.

As head of Tactical Air Command, Gen. Creech oversaw the development of the A-10s, F-15s, F-16s, the F-15E night fighter, AWACS, AMRAAM, HARM and LANTIRN jets and the Stealth fighter.

After retiring from the Air Force, Gen. Creech moved to Henderson in 1985 and began his management advisory company, WLC Enterprises. He did consulting work for General Electric, General Motors, IBM, ITT, Johnson & Johnson, and Litton and Lockheed.

Maj. Gen. Steve Wood, commander of the Air Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, called Gen. Creech one of the Air Force ' s greatest leaders and staunchest advocates.

" During more than 35 years of service to our nation, Gen. Creech held commands around the globe and was a decorated combat veteran, " Wood said. " Airmen from Nellis, past and present, mourn his passing. He had a special relationship with the base and Las Vegas community dating back to his assignment at the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School in 1960. "

Gen. Creech is survived by his wife, Caroline of Las Vegas, and his sister, Maxine Brody of Bigelow, Minn.