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<em>William Lorence Ivy </em>was born in West Point, MS. His family moved West and he spent his formative years (age 3-18) in Stockton, CA. After high school, Bill attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School at Bainbridge, MD, and entered USMA in July 1959. Bill’s positive attitude, cheerfulness, sincerity, and ability to be the most popular guy in any group served him well, not only at the Academy but also throughout his life.</p>
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Upon graduation, Bill was commissioned in the USAF, earned his pilotwings at Craig AFB, AL, in 1964, and proudly wore those wings. He was sent to B-52 Combat Crew Training and assigned to the Strategic Air Commands 70th Bombardment Wing at Clinton Sherman AFB, OK, as a B-52 co-pilot.</p>
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In 1968, Bill was sent to Southeast Asia to serve as an AC-47 aircraft commander at Pleiku Air Base, the Republic of VietNam, where he flew 196 combat missions. He was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, 14 Air Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Returning to the States, Bill attended B-52 pilot training and then was assigned as a pilot and an instructor pilot to the Strategic Air Command’s 5 th Bombardment Wing at Minot, ND, during 1969-72. Service in Southeast Asia called again and Bill flew 112 "Arc Lite" missions in the B-52.</p>
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During 1972-76, Bill was assigned as the assistant professor of aerospace science at Grambling State University. It was during that assignment, on 4 Jan 1973, that he married the former Renate Louis L. Cook from Mt. Holly, NJ. They have three children: Nicole, Kimberly, and William,Jr.</p>
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In 1976, Bill earned a master’s degree from Louisiana Tech University and was assigned to Strategic Air Command’s 328th Bombardment Squadron at Casde AFB, CA, as an instructor pilot, flight commander, and operations officer until 1980. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for extraordinary service. In 1980, Bill then attended the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL, from which he graduated one year later. He returned to Strategic Air Command’s Fifteenth Air Force as the chief of the training division and returned to the cockpit with the 92nd Bombardment Wing. In 1983, Bill earned his "eagles" and became the director of operations, 92nd Bombardment Wing at Fairchild AFB until his death.</p>
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During low-level bombardment training, flying an established nine hour route, Bill was killed in a B-52 accident at Kayenta, AZ. Memorial services were held at Fairchild AFB.</p>
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Those who knew Bill never will forget his positive attitude and his cheerfulness no matter what the situation. It is evident that Bill was everything a West Pointer is expected to be. He lived "Duty, Honor, Country" in every aspect of his life.</p>