Bill was born on April 6, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey. Soon after his birth during the Great Depression, he moved to Cork Lane, Pennsylvania, where his father and grandfather both worked as railroaders. After graduation from high school in 1949, he and several friends from his hometown decided to join the United States Air Force together. Bill enlisted in January of 1951 and completed basic training and engine mechanic school in Texas. Upon completion of mechanic school in September of 1951, he was to be sent by bus to Barksdale Air Force Base. When he was told where he would be stationed, he responded, “where is that?” In February of 1955, he married Elsie Halford, a medical technologist, at the base chapel. They quickly started a family and had four daughters in the span of five years; they remained married for 68 wonderful years.
Bill worked as a crew chief maintaining and equipping the Air Force’s planes, including B29s, B47s, KC135s, and the storied B52s. He travelled extensively throughout his 27-year career in the Air Force, including time stationed in New Mexico and Maine, as well as time overseas during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired from the Air Force in 1977 with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, and received the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star Medal, among other military honors. Bill was extremely proud of his military service. At the time of his retirement, he described his job as “the best job in the world.” Following his retirement from the Air Force, he went to work as a plant manager at Thompson Industries, which produced Styrofoam cups, in Shreveport. After 20 more years of hard work, he retired for the second time in 1997. During his retirement years, he enjoyed golfing, gardening, and spending time with his five grandchildren. If you pulled into his driveway on Ashdown Drive, you might find Bill on the roof working on holiday decorations, or in his backyard harvesting tomatoes and peppers from his garden. He was an active member and Elder at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bossier City.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Martin J. Quinn and Margaret Mitchell Quinn, one brother, Thomas Quinn, one sister, Kathryn Quinn, and one great-grandchild, Drake Henry Richter. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Elsie Halford Quinn; one brother, Martin “Marty” Quinn, and wife Barbara; his four daughters, Sharon Quinn Shores, and husband Wylie, Theresa Rene Quinn, Patricia Quinn Richter, and husband Henry, & Jacquelyn Quinn Kennedy; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Kelsey Quinn Richter, Jacquelyn Amelia Kennedy Craft, and husband Spencer (Shelton), Ann Rene Shores Hankins, and husband David (George & John), Harlan Quinn Richter, and partner Megan Waggoner (Layton, Cameryn & Carson), and Edward Quinn Kennedy. He was also a favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home at 9:00 AM on Monday, October 16, 2023, with the chapel service beginning at 10:00 AM. Officiating the service will be Pastor Sig Kuntz. Interment will follow in Hill Crest Memorial Park.
The family would like to thank Bill’s caregiver, Paulette Brown, for her compassionate care during his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2565 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana.
