William Thomas Hodson III passed away on October 9, 2018 in Colorado Springs, CO. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 8, 1938 to the late William and Ruth (Larsen) Hodson.
Bill graduated from Paris American High School and after a short time at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he received a commission into the United States Air Force Academy, class of 1960. Upon graduation from the Academy, he flew military transport planes but was asked to return to school to further his education. He graduated with a Master of Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a PhD. in Mathematics from the Arizona State University, Tempe. Bill spent many years as Professor of Operations Research and Mathematics at the Air Force Academy until his retirement in 1980.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, Bill became Director of R & D Associates, a defense contractor in Colorado Springs in addition to teaching at the University of Colorado. In 1991, he went on to become Chair of the Information Technology Department at the National Defense Institute in Washington, DC. In 2013, Bill retired as Professor Emeritus from Marymount University, Arlington, VA.
He leaves behind his wife, Frances Hodson, and children William T. Hodson IV (Joanne), Robin K. Hodson, Desiree L. Simmons (Kevin), Lisa E. Smith (K. Thomas) and Thomas M. Katona (Nicole) as well as eight grandchildren and one great grandson. He also leaves his brother, Eric S. Hodson.
A military burial will be held at Noon on October 23 at the United States Air Force Academy. A celebration of Life will follow at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in William’s name can be made to Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
