Charles F. Hull

December 13, 1923 -- June 6, 2003Charles F. Hull, a resident of Yelm and South Thurston County for 30 years, died of complications due to cancer on June 6, 2003.Charlie was born December 13, 1923 in Matfield Green, Kansas to Arthur and Catherine (Golden) Hull. He entered the Army with the call-up of the National Guard in October 1940. He served in Headquarters Company, 35th Division, 137th Infantry until May 1941, when he joined the Army Air Corps. He graduated from Radio Operators-Mechanics Air Corps Technical School, Scott Field, Illinois. After 4 months in Texas and Missouri he was sent to Africa, where he became an operator in the African-European-Middle East theatre of operation. He re-enlisted after the end of World War II, and spent time in Germany, France, England, and Alaska. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the Air Force after 21 years. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal with Silver Clasp, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the African European Middle East Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army Occupation Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Medal with Silver Leaf.He attended and graduated from the F.A.A. Air Traffic Control Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He then went to work as an Air Traffic Controller for the F.A.A., retiring in 1971.Charlie was a manager for the Governor House Hotel after retiring from the F.A.A. He went on to manage the Yelm Moose Lodge, the Tenino Eagles Lodge, and the American Legion Post #3 of Olympia. Charlie was most recently a carrier for The Olympian in the Rainier area.Charlie is survived by his wife, Elaine Hull, of Rainier; two stepdaughters, Cindy Bloom, of Rainier, and Trina Gray, of Yelm; four children from a previous marriage, Claudia Spicer, of Tacoma, Valerie Swanson, of Olympia, Marilyn Jo Shuck, of Gig Harbor, and Lin Jeffrey Hull, of Tacoma; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great- grandchildren.Cremation will be by Mills & Mills of Olympia. Graveside services will be Monday, June 16th, at 10:30 a.m. at Olympic Memorial Gardens, 5725 Littlerock Road, Tumwater. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the local Hospices.