William Price, Jr.

(Inducted posthumously)

William Price was a member of the Wheelersburg High School Class of 1943, but on graduation day, the chair he should have been in was empty with a banner and a star covering it, indicating that he had already reported for duty, before graduation day. There were three other such chairs that day.

He was a member of the 406th Squadron operating out of an 8th Air Force airbase near Harrington, England. He was a decorated gunner during World War II. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for “prior extraordinary achievement, while serving with distinction as gunner of a B-24 airplane on numerous special operational missions over enemy occupied Europe. Sergeant Price performed his duties with the utmost skill and his actions while engaged in combat with the enemy have been an example to his fellow crewmen. The courage, determination and exceptional skill displayed by Sergeant Price contributed materially to the successful completion of each of these missions and reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.” (wording of citation)

Bill was a former deacon and a member of the Oviedo Baptist Church.

Honors and Accomplishments:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Work Experience:
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force
Retired in 1986 as Division Chief from the Defense Electronics Supply Center,
Kettering, Ohio.

Education:
Air Force course certificates from Dayton Air Force Depot, Air University, Air Force Institute of Technology, School of Systems and Logistics at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Personal:
Married to: Freda J. (Sparks) Price for 53 years.
Children: Sandra K. Phend and Mary Lou Davis (both residing in Florida);
William K. Price (residing in Walnut Grove, North Carolina)
Six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren