Will R Vahrenkamp (1918 - 2007)

Born 19 Feb 1918 in McGregor, McLennan, Texas, United States

Ancestors

Died 22 Mar 2007 at age 89 in Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, United States

Biography

Will was born in 1918. He was the son of Frederick Vahrenkamp and Emilie Remmert. He passed away in 2007.

LT Col. U.S. Air Force, WWII, Korea

Will was born in McGregor, Texas, to the late William and Emily Vahrenkamp. He played football for the legendary Paul Tyson's Waco High Tigers from 1935 to 1936. Will also played football in 1937 for Baylor University before leaving school to help his ailing father.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on January 24, 1942, and graduated from Officer Candidate School of Miami Beach, Florida, on August 4, 1942. On June 1, 1946, he married Louise Helen Paske of Reagan, Texas, and began a career in the military employment services that same year. He served as Major Adjutant of the 66th Bombardment Squadron of the 44th Bombardment Group in England during World War II. He was involved in the Air Offensive of Normandy, Northern France, the Ploesti Raid, the Rhineland, Ardennes, Naples-Foggia, and Sicily. He received the Distinguished Unit Citation Badge with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster EAME Campaign Medal with 9 Bronze Service Stars. He received his honorable discharge on August 18, 1945. He continued to serve the United States Air Force as a reservist and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on September 8, 1977.

He co-authored the original employment by-laws of what was to become the Texas Employment Commission. In 1957, he was transferred from Harlingen to Fort Worth to become the Civilian Personnel Officer of Carswell Air Force Base. In 1962, he received the highest citation ever presented to a civilian by the Strategic Air Command for outstanding civilian performance. In 1963, he became the Southwest Regional Personnel Director for the Federal Aviation Administration. In 1965, he refused an appointment to the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C. in order to remain in Fort Worth. He did not want to disrupt his sons' involvements in school and athletics. His first and foremost love was his Lord and Saviour and his family.

He was a resident of Fort Worth for 50 years. He was the last surviving member of the original founders of the Wedgwood Blue Raider Athletic Association. He was also a member of the Waco Masonic Lodge #92 A.F. & A.M. for over 60 years.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Louise Vahrenkamp; sons, William R. Vahrenkamp and wife, Cathy, of Arlington, Michael E. Vahrenkamp and wife, Claire, of Fort Worth, and Lloyd Vahrenkamp and wife, Anna, of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Justin, Billy, Chad, Leah, Josh, Jacqueline, and Russell; sister, Viola Carruth, of Waco; and several nieces and nephews.

Sources

• LTC Will R. Vahrenkamp on Find A Grave: Memorial #18574317