Technically arriving from Omaha, "Wooder" actually arrived from Westover AFB, MA where he stayed with friends to finish his senior year of HS and maximize his chance to earn an Academy appointment. Choosing USAFA over joining his brother at Annapolis, Bill spent his first two years in 2nd Squadron, followed by 5th Squadron for the final two years. His initial somewhat monastic years together with his focus and AF upbringing led him to Supt's List recognition when he was in 2nd. His non-academic activities were primarily as the squadron Dance Rep, and as a member of the Catholic Council and Choir. In later years he headed the Cadet Water Ski club, demonstrating that you don't need much water to have a lot of fun.

Bill met his future wife, Katie Porter, in January 1968 - her dad, George Porter, was the Director of Testing at the Academy at the time. Although, Katie was strongly against dating Cadets, she and Bill hit it off and were married in the Chapel two days after graduation and then headed off on an aborted Hawaiian honeymoon that ended in California.

USAFA flight training selection must have been prescient as Bill selected the last number in the draw. Selecting the 7th to the last pilot training assignment post-graduation (the last 6 selections ultimately declined), Bill went to Craig AFB, AL where his “hypersensitive labyrinth system” washed him out prior to T-37s. The AF assignment gods sent him as a Duty Orbital Analyst / Computer to the Defense Meteorological Satellite System in SAC at Offutt AFB. In 1972, Bill took advantage of the early release program in hopes of an improved civilian experience and family support environment.

Bill joined Hughes Aircraft Company’s support at what's now Buckley SFB where he spent the next 10 years in various operational, engineering, and supervisory positions before having oportunities to manage a variety of Hughes programs and functional organizational efforts while surviving Hughes’ 3-stage evolution into Raytheon Co. Reminiscent of Bill’s loss of a roommate during the ‘68 Honor Scandal, his early days at Buckley included losing government and company co-workers to a drug scandal. As he had at USAFA, he pressed through it uninvolved, and went on to extend his operational and computer strengths into systems engineering, management, and proposal development of over $8 billion of company wins.

During the 70’s and 80’s, Bill completed business and technical Masters degrees as well as graduating from the Defense Systems Management College’s Program Management Course in residence. He earned and maintained Program Management Professional (PMP) certification throughout his career. Working at Hughes / Raytheon until the date of maximum retirement payout, he then transferred to ThalesRaytheon Systems (a subsidiary) which provided 3 more years of work that included several trips to both France and Hawaii prior to his retirement as a Sr. Program Manager.

Throughout his career, Bill developed and taught multiple professional development and engineering courses for Hughes internal use. He ultimately extended those efforts and co-developed and co-taught a graduate level Systems Engineering (SE) Certificate program at Colorado University in Denver for 5 years while still working at Raytheon. After retirement, he went on to consulting, followed by instructing and updating courses as part of the Colorado State University’s Systems Engineer PhD program for 6 years, working with Maj. Gen. Ron Sega, USAFA ’74, a distinguished graduate of both USAFA and the AOG.

Not being subjected to long deployments throughout his career, Bill was able to direct his excess energies to coaching, refereeing and board positions in recreational and competitive youth soccer programs, and even found himself competing against Rock Buraglio’s team. Bill advanced to refereeing at the high school and state adult men soccer games levels, with highlights including working a game at the Mile High Stadium, refereeing a reunion game of the USAFA Soccer team graduates, and refereeing a tournament game between the US National U-19 girls champions and an equivalent team from Germany along with several sometimes highly contentious games between Irish / Anglo / Hispanic / and Peruvian teams.

On the graduate side, Bill worked with Bill Sasz and Bill Maywhort to establish the first Denver Chapter of the AOG in the late 70’s, and has been a member of the Reunion Committee for our 45th, 50th and 55th reunions. As a guest instructor, he taught a two-lesson class on satellite spin-stabilization to USAFA Astro classes for five years, and provided two seminars to SE classes after USAFA established a SE major.

Recognizing that his life blessings have been numerous, Bill is most thankful for his wonderful bride, Katie, (57 years and counting), four fabulously successful and happy kids, and being a graduate member of USAFA ’68. He continues to find fulfillment in family, participating in ‘68 activities, the fantastic '68 grads and spouses, successful investing, and good music.

Bill and Katie - Thank-you for sharing.