2nd Lt Billy Lee "Billie" Runnels, bombardier
 

Rest in peace Bill; 21 April 1925 to 16 October 2018 (aged 93). During the later days of WW II Bill served as a B-17 bombardier with the 360th Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, operating from RAF Molesworth, USAAF Station 107. Bill completed 14 combat missions before wars end with VE-Day.

Bill's obit is here:

http://www.whitefuneralhomes.com/obi...ly-lee-runnels

Sadly the author omitted Bill's connection to the USAAF.

Bill's findagrave memorial page is here:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...ly-lee-runnels

Have added data links, photos and other content aimed to correct the USAAF service omissions in his obit.

Bill is fondly remembered here:

https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/thread...ed-away.50022/

Re: 2nd Lt Billy Lee "Billie" Runnels, bombardier
 

Thanks for posting Scott. Bill was a regular contributor at ww2aircraft.net up to his final days. He will be missed. I understand someone there is compiling all his posts for posterity - interesting stuff on his everyday life during his service.

Re: 2nd Lt Billy Lee "Billie" Runnels, bombardier
 

Yes, the compilation of his posts on that forum can be found here in Post #60:

https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/thread...y.50022/page-3

I believe Bill was an original member of what was once known as the Heavy Bombers forum, which transitioned into the Army Air Forces Forum (now defunct). Bill was a valued "veteran" member of those early forums and we all learned and benefited from his combat experiences.

After the AAF forum failed Bill found a new home with the ww2aircraft.net forum where he was most welcomed and respected by members for the short year or so he spent with this membership.

Bill will be missed by all who know him well. And by others who only experienced his WW II USAAF wisdom and experiences for a short period.