Billie A. “Bill” Kilpatrick, 81, of Milton, Florida, passed away Monday, September 11, 2017. Bill was born in Andalusia, Alabama, but relocated to Blackman, Florida, while in elementary school. He graduated from Escambia Farms High School and immediately joined the U.S. Air Force, a newly-formed service that was only a few years old at the time.

He started his military career at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas; and served at bases in Greenville, Mississippi, Tampa, Florida, Mountain Home, Idaho, Warner Robins, Georgia, and Udorn Thailand, before retiring at Tyndall AFB in Panama City, Florida, in 1974. As an aircraft Crew Chief and Maintenance Control Chief, he served in maintenance squadrons that supported a wide range of aircraft including the T-33 Shooting Star, B-47 Stratojet, B-52 Stratofortress, F-4 Phantom and F-106 Delta Dart. In addition to his aircraft assignments, he was selected among the initial cadre for the Titan 1 Missile program, earning an Air Force Commendation Medal for designing a process to repair a component that eliminated the need to remove the entire missile from the silo. The highlight of his military career was serving alongside the legendary Air Force leaders General Curtis Lemay and Colonel Paul Tibbets.

While stationed at MacDill AFB, Bill met the love of his life, Nancy. They quickly made friends with another young Air Force couple, Gail and Hugh Jolly. The two couples had many enjoyable (and often hilarious) double dates and became lifelong friends.

Following his military career, Bill had a career as a civil service aircraft mechanic at the Naval Air Rework Facility aboard NAS Pensacola, retiring in 1995. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Milton, Florida, the Fisher-Brown-Fischer Sunday School class, and the Masonic Lodge #369 in Callaway, Florida.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. He especially targeted the largemouth bass during the hottest summer months and caught several that weighed over ten pounds. He loved to entertain and tell stories, often being the “life of the party.” He passed along his love for woodworking and mechanical tinkering to his son, Steve.

Bill and Nancy had three children, Mark, Steve and Sherry. Mark was born was born mentally impaired but this only strengthened the family’s already keen respect for and understanding of others. Bill raised his children to value people and personal relationships above all else.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Nancy; and his parents, Alvah and Kate (Riley) Kilpatrick.

He is survived by his three children, Mark Kilpatrick, Steve (Julie) Kilpatrick and Sherry (Nick) Picconi; one brother, Nick Kilpatrick; one sister, Nelda Dantzler; and two grandchildren, Taylor Picconi and William Kilpatrick.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at the Carolina Baptist Church of Andalusia, Alabama, with Dr. David Spencer officiating. Burial will follow in the Carolina Baptist Church cemetery. Visitation will immediately precede the funeral service from 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. for family members; and from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. for friends.

The Kilpatrick family would to express their gratitude to the staffs of the Waterford at Creekside, West Florida Hospital, and PruittHealth of Santa Rosa, for the love and care given. They would also like to thank their extended family, friends and neighbors for their support and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, www.ocrf.org, or any Alzheimer’s related charity.

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
*ONLINE: www.ocrf.org
* BY MAIL: Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance
Post Office Box 32141
New York, NY 10087-2141
*BY PHONE: 212-268-1002 or 866-399-6262


Alzheimer Foundation of America
*ONLINE: www.alzfdn.org
*BY MAIL: Alzheimer Foundation of America
322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10001
*BY PHONE: 866-232-8484