William Wallace Nanninga

William Wallace Nanninga, who came from humble beginnings on an Iowa farm and went on to engineer parts of the world's best jetliners, died Nov. 11, 2016 – Veteran's Day – in Bellevue, Wash. He was a proud World War II veteran.

Wallace was born Feb. 15, 1921, to Warren and Madge Sidwell Nanninga in the same rural Ireton, Iowa, farmhouse where his father was born. He joined an older sister, Beulah, and later gained sister, Marilyn. His aunt Audra Sidwell was his first- and second-grade teacher, driving him to school in a horse and buggy.

After graduating from high school in Ireton, Wallace got a job at Montgomery Ward in Creston, Iowa, where he met Josephine Gronert. In 1942 he was inducted into the U.S. Army and on Feb. 24, 1944, he and Jo were married in Creston. Wallace soon was sent to Europe, where as part of the Machine Records Unit, he followed General Patton through Europe, including to the December 1944 Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. After the war ended, he had to stay in Europe and process returning soldiers until January 1946. He then began studies at Iowa State College, earning a mechanical engineering degree in 1949 and was hired immediately by The Boeing Co. in Seattle for $270 per month.

In 1952 he began working on an entirely new jet transport, the 367-80 – which evolved into the 707 – developing the loft lines for its nose. He worked on many other aircraft, especially enjoying the development of the 747 main-deck cargo system, for which he holds patents. He traveled the world to teach customers how to move their cargo – including odd items such as zoo animals and huge antique works of art. Also at Boeing, during the 1960s Wallace served on the executive-committee of the engineering union (SPEEA), expanding their health-care options by negotiating the first contract with Group Health. Later, in the 1980s, he studied and earned his professional engineering certification.

Wallace and Jo were founding members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Bellevue. They enjoyed family trips – including razor-clamming, camping and hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in 1972. At age 50, Wallace decided to learn to ski and participated in ski school for many years. In retirement – after 37 years at Boeing – he enjoyed home projects, working in the garden and visiting with relatives.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine, of Bellevue, and children Marcia Nanninga (Dino Mattieligh) of Bothell, Gordon Nanninga (Gwen) of Covington, and Carol Lawrence (Hugh) of Bellevue. He also is survived by grandchildren Katrina Nanninga Scheidegger, Mathew Nanninga and Brian Lawrence, as well as great-grandchildren Della and Ryker Scheidegger. And, he is survived by his sister, Marilyn Lloyd of Burlington, Iowa, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was inurned at Sunset Hills, Bellevue, and the family plans a private service.