Born Oct. 20, 1937, in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, to Milton and Louise Sicklesteel, Bill was the youngest of four boys.

Bill graduated from Lakeview (Michigan) High School in 1955. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1959, and a master’s degree in business administration and management from Webster College in Missouri in 1981.

He is also a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the Air War College.

Commissioned from Officer Training School in September 1961, Bill’s military career spanned 30 years.

During his active military service, he was Sicklesteel

stationed at various US locations and overseas, including North Carolina, Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Okinawa, Taiwan, Thailand and Sicily.

His final tour was at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where he was the deputy chief of staff for logistics, Headquarters Pacific Communications Division. His awards and decorations include The Legion of Merit, 6 meritorious service medals, two Air Force commendation medals, National Defense Service Medal and a Vietnam Service Medal.

Prior to joining the Air Force, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Pearson, in May 1960. The couple loved the military life and were blessed with two children, Sheryl Ann and Michael Jay.

After retiring in September 1991, the couple stayed in Hawaii for five years while Bill took a director’s position with TSA. Bill and Dorothy loved sailing in Hickam Harbor and Bill served as commodore of the Pacific Yacht Club.

Oct. 20, 1937 — March 20, 2024

Eventually moving back to Texas, they settled in Boerne. Bill enjoyed playing golf, visiting with friends and working in his yard. The couple were active in the orchid society and attended large shows across the country. They also enjoyed vacationing around the gulf coast from Texas to Florida and many cruises within the United States and Europe.

Not only was Bill an organized, disciplined, loyal and patriotic officer, but he was also a gifted salesman. While working the parts counter at a local marine dealership in St. Clair Shores, 14-year-old Bill saw a couple viewing the new boats. Noticing all the salespeople were busy, Bill took it upon himself to speak with them and answer all their questions.

To the surprise of management, he made the sale, which lead them to promote him to full-time sales. He sold boats until he left for college four years later.

His survivors include Dorothy, his beautiful wife of 63 years; brother Sicklesteel

John (Lynda) Sicklesteel, daughter Sheryl (Kenny) Sicklesteel, son Michael (Tobi) Sicklesteel; five grandchildren, Jamie (Rafael) Munoz, Shannon (Abel) Hernandez, Taylor (Cody) Morris, and Alexander and Andrew Sicklesteel; and great grandchildren Kyler, Adley, Camila and Marilynn.

During his 30 years of service, Bill was a military man first. Once he retired, Bill took on a true patriarchal role, evolving into a sensitive, fun and caring father and grandfather.

We will all miss him dearly.

Services will be held on Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with a reception and recognition luncheon in Boerne. For more information contact the family at: inmemoryofbillsicklesteel@ gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate in Bill’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.