Maj. Gen. USAF Robert William "Bill" CLEMENT (Ret.)

CLEMENT, Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret.) Robert William "Bill"

88, of Haines City, FL, died July 22, 2016. Bill was born in Columbus, OH, August 8, 1927, to Coleman Clay and Leola Barnett Clement. He was the second of three sons. Bill spent a year at Yale University in the Navy V-5 (preflight) Program before entering the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from which he graduated with the Class of 1950.

Bill entered the U.S. Air Force upon graduation from West Point and had a distinguished career. He served as a fighter pilot in the Korean War, and was stationed in Germany, England, Southeast Asia, and several bases within the United States. He also served at the Pentagon, and as a math professor at the Air Force Academy. He loved flying and the majority of his career was spent in operations. He was a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours.

Bill's final assignment was to Torrejon Air Base, Spain as Commander, 16th Air Force with bases in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. He was thrilled to fly the F-16 the four years he was Commander, until his retirement in June 1984. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Air Force Outstanding Unit ribbon with "V" device and oak leaf cluster.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Ann Cameron Clement; by his younger brother, Lt. Richard Lee Clement; his son, Robert William Clement Jr.; and second wife, Elizabeth Atherton Clement. In addition to his older brother, Col. Coleman C. Clement Jr., Bill is survived by children, Susan Dicks (Dennis), Sandra Cooper (Kevin), and Randall Clement (Terri); grandchildren, Randy Dicks (Pam), Rebecca Henderson (Steve), Amanda Garbrecht (Bart), Christopher Clement, Lindsay Kreiner (Karl), Brad Clement, Sarah Clement, Ian Cooper (Stephanie), Annie Cooper, and Lauren Jahna (Dalton); and 10 great-grandchildren.

Bill fought a courageous battle against Lewy Body Disease and memorials in his honor may be made for the purpose of Lewy Body Disease Research at Mayo Clinic. They should be directed to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32246, with the notation that it is in memory of Robert W. Clement.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Haines City, 11 am, Saturday, July 30, with graveside military honors following. Visitation with the family will be 10-11 am, at the church prior to the service. Condolences may be sent to:

www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.

Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City