William Donald Curry Jr.

May 15, 1926 - April 16, 2013
William Donald Curry Jr.

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Brigadier General William Donald Curry Jr. USAF (ret.), 87, of Minneapolis Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at Patriots Colony in Williamsburg, VA.

Bill was a member of the graduating class of 1950 at the United States Military Academy. Upon graduation he earned his Master of Science degree in International Relations from George Washington University and was a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Armed Forces Staff College and the Air War College. Bill was a command pilot with over 5,300 flying hours. His military decorations and awards included the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation with two oak leaf clusters and The Army Commendation Medal.

His Military career began during the Korean war flying in combat tour in the F-51 Mustangs. He spent his career as a fighter pilot and flew combat missions as an f-4 squadron commander with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Airbase in Vietnam and as the Commander of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat Air Base, Thailand, flying the A-7d Corsair II.

Other assignments included a tour as Deputy Chief, Joint Chiefs of Staff Matters, Global Plains and Policy Division, Directorate of Plains, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Vice Commander and Commander of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base: Assistant Deputy and Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Headquarters Tactical Air Command; Commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing; and Commander, Tactical Training Davis-Monthan, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

His final tour of duty was to command the Defense General Supply Center, Defense Logistics Agency in Richmond, VA, prior to his retirement in 1980.

Bill considered his service of 32 years in the Air Force and the Army to be his calling and truly an honor. He continued to serve his community after his retirement as a charter member and president of the Brandermill Rotary Club in Richmond, VA and a Board member of the Richmond United Way. He valued his associations working in leadership roles with the Rotary Club, the Air Force Association and the West Point Society. Bill was the Chairman of the Disaster Services to the Red Cross of Virginia and was Consultant to the American Red Cross in Washington, DC providing disaster services and logistical support. Bill was able to use his skills and knowledge, his gifts and talents to support families devastated by natural disasters.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, April 24th at 11:00am in the Grand Hall at Patriots Colony in Williamsburg, VA. A graveside service with full military honors will be held for Bill at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bettie B. Curry, his son William Donald ìChipî Cury III, and his daughter Linda Curry Gaskins and son in law Kevin Gaskins, two granddaughters, Page and April Curry,

and Grandson Kevin Curry Gaskins and wife Erica, loving nieces and nephews as well as grand nieces and nephews.

Bill’s Family would be honored if memorial contributions would be made to the organizations that were special to him throughout his life. These include: The American Red Cross, The Patriots Fund at Patriots Colony Williamsburg, VA and the families of the Wounded Fund at www.familesofthewounded.org.


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